Wamuzi News Ke
A fierce showdown is brewing between Kenya’s Anglican Church and the highest office in the land following a scathing attack by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who has sharply criticized a government plan to construct a multibillion-shilling church within State House grounds.
Calling it a “constitutional overreach,” Ole Sapit questioned both the necessity and the implications of the KSh 1.2 billion project, warning that State House risks turning religion into a political tool. “Is the Head of State planning to be both President and Bishop?” Sapit posed defiantly during a press address, in a tone that suggested the Church is no longer willing to stay silent on state interference.
At the heart of the controversy is a grand proposal, spearheaded by President William Ruto, to erect what is being described as a national sanctuary—a place where leaders, believers, and citizens can allegedly gather for spiritual reflection. But to religious leaders like Sapit, the move raises urgent concerns about state overreach into sacred territory.
“This is not about a building. It’s about boundaries,” the archbishop said, emphasizing that any fusion between the Church and executive authority contradicts the very principles of democracy and religious independence. His remarks follow a consistent pattern of resistance—Ole Sapit previously banned politicians from speaking or issuing donations at Anglican pulpits, a directive that applied even to the President himself.
The government has yet to formally respond to the sharp rebuke, but insiders suggest the project is far advanced and unlikely to be halted. However, the backlash has ignited fresh debate across the country over the role of faith in government affairs, and whether Kenya’s secular constitution can withstand the growing spiritual-political entanglement at the highest levels of power.
Ole Sapit’s bold challenge now places pressure not just on the presidency but on other religious leaders who have maintained silence as the State tightens its grip on spiritual platforms. He warned that aligning houses of worship with government projects risks distorting the gospel message and compromising the integrity of church institutions.
As the State House church project moves forward amid heated public discourse, the confrontation between Church and State is now in full view. Analysts warn that if left unchecked, this development could redefine the relationship between religion and politics in Kenya for generations to come.
