Kenyan Lawyer Files Case Challenging William Ruto’s KSh 1.2 Billion State House Church Project
- A case has formally been filed at the High Court to challenge the ongoing construction of a church within the State House
- Lawyer Levi Munyeri filed the case on Monday, July 7, which the court has since certified as urgent and issued directions
- President William Ruto admitted to constructing the church but said no public funds would be used on the KSh 1.2 billion project
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Nairobi: The High Court has certified as urgent a constitutional petition filed challenging the ongoing construction of a KSh 1.2 billion mega-church within the State House in Nairobi.
Source: Facebook
Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Monday, July 7, certified the petition filed by lawyer Levi Munyeri.
The lawyer is challenging President William Ruto’s decision to build a church in the precincts of the house on the hill.
"I have read the Certificate of Urgency dated 6/7/2025, the undated notice of motion, the petition of even date and the supporting affidavit of Levi Munyeri sworn on 6/7/2025 and thus give directions as follows, the application and the petition be served physically within the next 3 days and a return of service be filed,” the judge ordered.
He also directed the Attorney General to file a response within seven days. The AG is named as the respondent, while the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is listed as an interested party in the case.
Why Kenyan lawyer is challenging State House church project
In his petition, Munyeri argues that allowing the mega-church project to continue could irreparably undermine the constitution, set a dangerous precedent of religious favouritism, and risk religious tension.
"…the constitution provides for equality and non-discrimination. However, the move by the president discriminates on the basis of religion by presenting one religion as preferable to others, even to the point of the preferred religion's place of worship being hosted in State House. This in itself is a violation of the constitutional provision and principle of equality,” the lawyer argues in his affidavit seen by TUKO.co.ke.
Munyeri, through his lawyer Edwin Magu, says that unless the court issues a conservatory order halting the said construction, public resources will be plundered and the right of the public to participate in the use of public land will be negated to the detriment of the public.
Is it illegal to build a church in State House?
He accused the president of violating constitutional principles by constructing a church within the State House grounds.
"The said construction of a church on State House grounds, Nairobi, is illegal and an illegality and any continued construction of the church on State House Grounds, Nairobi is a further violation of the letter of the constitution,” the lawyer argues.
The lawyer, in his affidavit, further alleges that President Ruto admitted to personally financing the mega-church after a July 4 exposé in a local newspaper brought the development to light.
Source: Facebook
While the president has stated that public funds will not be used for the project, Munyeri argues that, regardless of the source of funding, the use of public land, particularly within the official residence of the Head of State, for religious purposes contravenes the Kenyan Constitution.
“The Constitution explicitly provides that there shall be no state religion. The presidency, as a symbol of national unity, cannot be seen to favour one religion over others. This construction is being undertaken secretly and without public participation or parliamentary approval,” he noted.
That matter was fixed for further directions on July 24, 2025.
What Dorcas Gachagua said about State House church
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that the spouse of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua had added her voice to the debate over the construction of a church at State House.
Dorcas Gachagua said she was against the project.
She argued that President Ruto was not the right person to spearhead the project due to the current situation in the country.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Zipporah Weru (Freelance editor) Zipporah Weru is a professional journalist with a bias towards human interest, human rights, crimes and court reporting with over 14 years’ experience in journalism. She is currently covering civil, criminal and constitutional cases across Nairobi courts. She holds a Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations from the Technical University of Kenya. You can reach her at zweru34@gmail.com.
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
