Kenya’s High Court has temporarily stopped President William Ruto’s administration from building a permanent church at State House, Nairobi, or in any other official residence. The ruling follows a petition questioning whether such a project violates the constitutional separation of State and religion.
Justice E.C. Mwita delivered the order on Tuesday, barring the government and its agencies from carrying out any construction linked to a particular faith on State House grounds until November 18, 2025.
“I am satisfied that the application and petition raise fundamental constitutional and legal questions touching on State and religion which require urgent investigation,” Justice Mwita said in his ruling.
The case was filed by Transparency International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and two other petitioners. They argued that setting up a religious facility inside the seat of power risked blurring the line between State neutrality and personal faith.
The respondents in the matter include the Katiba Institute and the State Law Office.
The court ordered all pleadings to be served immediately. Respondents have seven days to file their responses, while petitioners will also have seven days to submit supplementary affidavits. The matter is scheduled for mention in November next year.
A penal notice attached to the ruling warned that ignoring the directive would carry legal consequences.
The decision underscores a wider debate in Kenya, where religion is deeply woven into public life, yet the Constitution emphasises State impartiality in matters of faith. President Ruto, a devout Christian, has frequently held prayer meetings at State House since taking office, drawing both praise and criticism.
For supporters, the gatherings highlight Kenya’s identity as a religious nation. Critics, however, warn that institutionalising faith within State facilities risks undermining constitutional safeguards.
The court’s intervention now puts the question squarely in the spotlight: how far should personal beliefs influence the use of public office?