President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s support for religious institutions by pledging Ksh.10 million towards the construction of a “Pastors’ Plaza” in Narok County. The announcement was made on Sunday during a church service where local clergy had requested a symbolic “State House presence” in the area.
“There is a construction you want here… Mosiro Plaza for pastors. Because we can’t construct a State Lodge, we will build the plaza for pastors. I will look for Ksh.10 million to kick off construction,” said President Ruto. He further assured the religious leaders that in case of funding challenges, “friends” including Senators and Governors would step in to support the initiative.
This move comes amid growing public criticism over the Head of State’s continued large financial contributions to churches, despite his own earlier calls for moderation in church fundraisers. Ruto, however, remains steadfast, insisting his support for faith-based institutions is unwavering.
During the same address, Ruto defended the ongoing formation of a broad-based government, calling it a strategic move to foster unity among Kenyans. “We are working hard to unite the people of Kenya. I am proud that Raila Odinga and I are working together. We are unapologetic, unashamed about uniting the people of Kenya,” he said.
The President also turned attention to his administration’s anti-corruption agenda, revealing progress in digitizing government procurement systems to enhance transparency. “The e-Procurement we have been waiting for years has started this April as I committed,” Ruto declared.
The dual emphasis on faith-based outreach and governance reforms underscores Ruto’s balancing act between political consolidation and public accountability. While the pledge for the pastors’ plaza has been warmly received by religious leaders in Narok, it is likely to draw further scrutiny from civil society advocates concerned about the prioritization of public funds.
As the political landscape evolves, Ruto appears determined to cement his legacy as a unifier and reformer albeit amid controversy over the interplay between religion, politics, and national resources.
