President William Ruto's plan to construct a KES1.2 billion church at State House, Nairobi, has suffered a body blow after the High Court issued orders to stop the setting up of any faith-related structure in the target area or state lodges across Kenya.

On Thursday, Milimani Law Courts’ Constitutional and Human Rights Division's judge Justice Mwita issued the conservatory orders barring the set-up of religious buildings, and or churches on official government residences.

The orders follow a 20th August, 2025 petition by non-state actors including from Transparency International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and two other lobby groups, which noted that allowing President Ruto to set up a church as envisaged contravenes the constitutional principle of State's neutrality on matters religion.

Mr Justice Mwita certified the petitioner's case as urgent, noting that they raised matters that demand immediate intervention of the Judiciary.

In early July, Dr. Ruto stirred a debate on neutrality of the State on matters religion when he stated: "I am not going to ask anyone for an apology for building a church. The devil might be angry and can do what he wants."

He further told a group of politicians he was hosting at the country's seat of power: "I did not start building this church when I entered the State House. I found a church but one made out of iron sheets. Does that look befitting for the State House?"

Ruto's defiant stand angered many Kenyans who questioned the source of financing, which the President defended, claiming it is his own money.

News of the mega church project broke when the Daily Nation published an expose, complete with architectural designs of the building estimated to have a capacity of 8,000 people. The article questioned whether the church project was in harmony with the spirit and letter of Kenya's secular constitution.

Dr. Ruto's plan was also criticized given that it is being undertaken at a time when millions of wananchi are struggling with daily needs including, food, shelter, healthcare and education.

The High Court has now given the respondents a week to file and serve their responses to both the application and the petition which has been allocated 18, November 2025 for highlighting of submissions.

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