David Ndii, Chairperson of President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisers, has defended the establishment of a church within the State House compound, saying it is intended to serve the spiritual needs of over 1,000 government staff and their families who live on the premises not as a symbol of the President’s personal religious beliefs.
Responding to growing public debate over the role of religion within the seat of power, Ndii clarified that the State House chapel is a long-standing facility catering primarily to staff. “The church serves the 1,000+ government staff and their families who live in State House. The religion of the president is irrelevant the staff will remain predominantly Christian, whatever the religion of future presidents,” Ndii stated on Saturday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
His comments came in the wake of a broader conversation sparked by remarks from Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who had questioned who should rightfully serve as the State House Bishop and, by extension, the spiritual adviser to the presidency.
Political strategist Dennis Itumbi also entered the fray, asserting that tradition and colonial-era design place the Anglican Archbishop in the role of State House Bishop. “It’s surprising that the Anglican Archbishop would publicly pose the question of who should serve as the State House Bishop,” Itumbi said, suggesting that historical precedent designates the role to the Anglican Church.
President William Ruto, known for his public displays of faith, also addressed the matter during a meeting with leaders from Embu County on Thursday. He confirmed that a new church is being constructed within State House and clarified that the project is being funded personally.
“Mimi ni mtu naamini kwa Mungu, and I have no apologies to make. Kwa kujenga kanisa, I have no apology, na hakuna mtu nitaomba msamaha,” Ruto said, reaffirming his religious convictions and personal responsibility for the project.
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between personal faith and public office, especially in a country where religion plays a significant cultural role.
