NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 17 — Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday promised to put up a “bigger chapel” at State House if elected President on August 9 saying he would undertake the initiative as a matter of priority.
Ruto who spoke during a church service in Juja where he appealed to Kenyans to pray for the country ahead of the General Election said unnamed officials tried to derail his plans to build a Chapel at the Official Residence of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi, which has earned the name Hustlers’ Mansion during Ruto’s occupancy.
“We built one at the Hustlers’ Mansion, but we had challenges. I believe we will not build like the one we build at the mansion, we will build a bigger one so that this country can continue recognizing the presence of God,” the DP told the congregation at Joy in Christ Fellowship Church, Gachororo, in Juja.
Ruto singled out faith as a key pillar of his alliance saying he believes the country will have a peaceful election.
“We are requesting you to pray for our country that we will have a peaceful election. We want to have an unprecedented election. An election where all of us will submit to the will of the people of Kenya and make our country move to the next level.”
He reiterated his commitment to protect faith institutions and make sure there is a chapel at State House.
On Saturday, the DP promised to protect faith institutions if elected President on August 9, assuring church leaders of his commitment to safeguard the freedom of worship as provided for in the Constitution.
Ruto who spoke at a prayer summit organized by Grace Gachagua, the spouse of his running mate Rigathi Gachagua, assured the clergy that his administration will do whatever it takes to protect religious freedom in the country.
Ruto said that there will be no church closed under his watch while undertaking to allow unhindered registration of new churches to allow Kenyans celebrate the diversity of their faith.
“My running mate and I undertake that we will do whatever it takes to keep this country as a God-fearing nation. We commit that no church will be closed under our watch,” he said during the meeting convened at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
“We commit that the registration of churches shall proceed unhindered,” he assured the religious men and women.
During the Sunday service, the DP was accompanied by his running mate Rigathi Gachagua, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung’wa.
