President William Ruto has pledged Sh20 million to support the construction of a new sanctuary for the Africa Inland Church (AIC) Machakos, offering to contribute 10 percent of the church’s Sh200 million budget.

The announcement came during the consecration and installation ceremony of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo at AIC Bomani on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Reacting to the sanctuary’s projected cost, the president quipped that such an ambitious budget could only be driven by “great faith.”

“In response to your faith, I too will walk in faith,” Ruto said to loud cheers. “I’ll start you off with 10 percent Sh20 million.”

He instructed the church leadership to establish a construction committee and share an official bank account to facilitate the transfer. The president emphasized that the funds would act as seed money to inspire further contributions from the congregation.

“Because of your strong faith, I believe the goal will be met. Form a committee, open a dedicated construction account Kiuli, you oversee it. Once I get the details, I’ll send the Ksh20 million and we see where it goes from there,” he added.

Encouraging the faithful to support the sanctuary initiative, Ruto urged them to give generously and referenced biblical teachings on storing treasures in heaven.

"But you too must give,” he said, drawing laughter from the congregation. “Set your treasures in heaven… although I don’t want to preach.”

In a light-hearted moment, the president also responded to recent remarks by Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who had questioned the rationale of building a church inside State House. The cleric had sarcastically asked who would serve as its bishop implying it could be the president himself.

Without naming Ole Sapit directly, Ruto responded with humor: “There’s a certain bishop who was quite vocal when he heard we were building a church at State House. He asked, ‘Who will be the bishop? The president?’ Well, I’m not a bishop for now, but when I retire from politics, I’ll become an evangelist.”

The pledge is expected to boost the AIC community’s morale as it embarks on an ambitious spiritual infrastructure project under Bishop Kalanzo’s newly installed leadership.