The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily stopped President William Ruto's decision to put up a permanent church within the premises of State House in Nairobi.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita, the court halted the planned construction of a modern church at State House pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
"A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the government, its officers and or anyone acting on its behalf from constructing a permanent church or building associated with any religious faith within the grounds of State House, Nairobi or any other State House or State Lodges until November 18, 2025," the court ruled.
According to Justice Mwita, he was satisfied by the application, stating that the petition raised fundamental constitutional and legal questions touching on the State and religion, which require urgent investigation.
The court directed the petitioners, who include the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Katiba Institute, to immediately serve the respondents with the petition.
In the ruling, the respondents were directed to submit their response to the matters raised by the petitioners within seven days upon being served with the application.
"The petitioners will then have 7 days after service to file and serve a supplementary affidavit, if need be, together with written submissions to the application and petition, not exceeding 10 pages," the court further directed.
"The respondent and interested parties will thereafter have 7 days after service to file and serve a written submission to both the application and petition, not exceeding 10 pages each," it added.
Justice Mwita went ahead to warn that any disobedience or non-observance of the conservatory order would result in penal consequences.
The latest court ruling comes eight weeks after Ruto announced his intention to construct a church worth millions within the State House premises using his own money.
The church would feature a large-scale capacity seating area for congregants with huge frosted glass windows and prominent crosses.
Speaking on July 4 in Embu County, the Head of State defended the multi-billion-shilling project, stating that the new development was only an improvement of the temporary and dilapidated structure previously used by State House officials.
