President William Ruto has dismissed reports that the church being constructed at State House will cost Sh1.2 billion, saying the claims are false and meant to incite hatred against the church.

Speaking during the 35th Anniversary Thanksgiving of the ACK Diocese of Embu at Kigari Teachers Training College, Ruto said he was unaware of where the figure came from and questioned how a church meant to accommodate 300 people could possibly cost more than an 11-storey building.

“The Bishop has shown me the building we are constructing, it has eleven floors. It has been estimated that it will cost Sh350 million. Let me ask if the church is big enough for three hundred people, can it reach a billion shillings? Please stop the gossip, propaganda and hatred. Why do you hate the church of God? I don't know where these people got the billions,” he said.

Ruto explained that the State House church is not new and has existed for years, serving the families of about 300 staff based at the Nairobi residence.

He said his contribution was simply to replace the old iron sheet structure with a permanent building made of stone.

“The church we are building is big enough for those children and the three hundred families, we have a Sunday school there and I didn’t start the church, I found it there. What I have done is to say that instead of the church there being made of iron sheets, let's build a stone one,” he said.

He added that the attacks being directed at the project are part of a wider plan to undermine the government and mock the place of faith.

“They are plotting a lot against us, and mocking us. I beg you to respect the word of God. Those in State House are Kenyans like the others and Christians,” he said.

Ruto also questioned how it would be acceptable to renovate State House but leave its church in poor condition.

He told the gathering that he cannot move around the country contributing to church buildings while neglecting the one within the official residence.