Muslim Leaders Urge President Ruto to Consider Mosque at State House

 

By Vivian Anyango

 Prominent Muslim leaders across Kenya have called on President William Ruto to uphold religious equality by authorizing the construction of a mosque within the State House grounds. Their appeal comes amid national debate over the president’s recent initiative to build a Ksh 1.2 billion Christian church within the State House compound, a move critics say threatens the country's secular foundations.

The call was issued through a joint statement by several Islamic organizations, including the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), who argue that building a church within the highest seat of executive power—without a corresponding Muslim facility—sends a troubling signal of religious favoritism.

“We are not opposed to the construction of a church,” said Sheikh Yusuf Abubakar, a senior religious leader. “But fairness demands equal space and respect for other faiths. The absence of a mosque at State House sends a clear message of exclusion.”

The State House church project, reportedly financed by President Ruto’s personal funds, has drawn mixed reactions from across the political and religious spectrum. While Christian leaders have lauded the initiative, legal experts and opposition politicians have questioned its constitutionality, pointing to Article 8 of Kenya’s Constitution which prohibits state endorsement of any religion.

Critics also raise concerns over transparency in funding, with some questioning whether public resources might be indirectly used in the construction or maintenance of the facility.

Muslim leaders now insist that true interfaith harmony can only be achieved through equitable religious representation in state affairs. “The mosque proposal is not about rivalry; it’s about inclusion,” said CIPK spokesperson Fatima Noor. “State House must reflect the spiritual diversity of the Kenyan people. Failing to do so sets a dangerous precedent of institutionalized bias.”

This isn’t the first time Muslim leaders have raised alarms over religious disparity in government spaces. In 2023, CIPK accused the State House administration of neglecting Muslim worship practices and disproportionately favoring Christian events.

Despite growing pressure, President Ruto’s office has yet to issue a formal response to the mosque proposal. Political analysts suggest that continued silence could not only deepen perceptions of religious partiality but also risk alienating a significant segment of the population ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Religious sensitivity in governance is no longer just a matter of faith; it’s now a matter of national cohesion,” said political commentator Professor David Kilonzo. “Ignoring this issue could hurt the president both morally and politically.”

As the controversy unfolds, many Kenyans are reflecting on what it means to maintain a truly secular and inclusive state. The question remains: Will State House become a symbol of unity—or deepen divisions in an already polarized society?

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Vivian Anyango is a senior political co