William Ruto from Kenya to build a huge church in the state home

Kenyan President William Ruto says he is building a church at the Nairobi presidential residence that he will pay for himself – and says he has nothing to apologize for.

“I will not ask anyone for an excuse for the construction of a church. The devil can be angry and be able to do what he wants,” Ruto said on Friday.

Only this statement is angry with the Kenyans, who are already disappointed with his style of leadership and what they consider to be entanglement of the state and the church.

The BBC asked the government for comment.

It is not clear which Ruto called the “devil” in his comments in the State House, but he says that nothing will prevent the project from moving forward.

“I did not start building this church when I entered the State House. I found a church, but one made from iron sheets. Does that seem to be responsible for the State House?” Definitely Ruto told politicians at a meeting he hosted on Friday.

On Friday, one of Kenya’s leading newspapers, Daily Nation, published architectural designs showing a large building with stained glass windows and capacity for 8,000 people.

The document questioned whether the project was in line with the secular constitution of Kenya.

There is also criticism of costs estimated at $ 9 million (£ 6.5 million) at a time when many Kenyans are fighting increasing costs for living.

Ruto said he would pay for the church from his own pocket, but this raises the question of whether he was entitled to build such a large structure on state property.

Atheist society in Kenya threatens legal action to stop the construction of the church, calling it shocking and unacceptable.

“We regard this action as an anti -democratic and promotion of Christine’s nationality by President Ruto. We want to remind him that Kenya does not only belong to Christians,” said group leader Harrison Mummy.

William Ruto is the first evangelical Christian president of Kenya, raising a pious image and winning him the nickname of Deputy Jesus.

During his many years in public office It is known to quote Scripture and cry in a public place – Behavior that has long alienated some Kenyans.

Back, when Ruto was a deputy president, he raised a church in his government residence in the suburbs of Karen, using it to host religious leaders of various religions.

While approximately 85% of the Kenyans are Christians, there is also a large Muslim population of about 11%, along with other religions of minorities, including Hinduism and traditional African religions.

There is no mosque or temple in the presidency.

In the meantime, Nairobi’s Catholic Archbishop Philip Anlo says that urgent clarity is needed about the type of structure, otherwise it can be seen that a Christian denomination over others is favored.

“We have to be very cautious with this. Such a structure must be built in an area that is not a public institution. Unless what is being built, it is not a priest, but it is also not clear.”