Mainstream churches in Kenya have warned President William Ruto that he risks setting the country on fire unless he upholds the rule of law, constitutionalism and tackles runaway corruption and other excesses in his administration.

The strongly-worded warning was issued by Ufungamano Joint Forum of Religious Organisations just hours after President Ruto hosted 500 pastors and priests drawn from evangelical churches on Wednesday at State House – the president’s official residence – where he is building a church at the cost of Ksh1.2 billion ($9.3 million).

While the evangelicals supported the State House church, mainstream churches questioned the motive of the president at State House and accused him of reneging on the law on religion and constitution. They also accused him marginalising other religions, besides inflaming inter-religion tensions.

The constitution recognises Kenya as secular state and provides for freedom of worship. Historically, Kenya has never experienced religious conflicts.

The powerful statement demanded President Ruto uphold the rule of law and Constitution, respect civil rights and steer the country away from what it referred as looming political crisis.

The statement was a defiance of Ruto’s warning to the mainstream churches – Catholic, Anglican and Quaker – to desist from inciting the youth against the government.

When they read a joint statement during a press conference in Nairobi, members of the interfaith coalition including representatives from the Baptist Church of Kenya, Friends Church (Quakers), Presbyterian Church and the Kenya Human Rights Monitoring Agency called for political sobriety, accountability and the urgent cessation of police brutality against demonstrators.

The forum confirmed that the statement had already been forwarded to President William Ruto, the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Parliament, Chief Justice, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Attorney General and the Law Society of Kenya.

The religious leaders pointed out that Kenya is on the brink of destruction socially, economically and politically, warning that recent political rhetoric and excessive use of force by state agencies risks tearing the country apart.

“The need for political sobriety by both Parliament and the Executive is more urgent than ever before,” read the statement, as the clergy urged leaders to heed the voice of the people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution, which vests sovereign power in the people of Kenya.

Citing the aftermath of the violent demonstrations on June 25 and July 7 (Saba Day), the joint forum condemned the deaths, injuries and destruction witnessed, attributing part of the chaos to police action.

“By commanding the police to shoot and kill, they are being ordered to destroy God’s temple where His Spirit dwells,” they preached, referencing 1 Corinthians 3:16 to underscore the sanctity of life.

Further, the forum appealed to the president and Interior cabinet secretary to immediately halt police brutality, release all those arrested during the protests and compensate victims and families of those killed or injured. They further demanded accountability through independent investigations and prosecution of those responsible for violating the law.

While affirming the right to peaceful protest under Articles 33 and 37 of the Constitution, the forum beseeched Kenyans to suspend demonstrations and instead support a national convention to address the root causes of discontent.

In this regard, they proposed a forum to be convened by the Law Society of Kenya and supported by religious, business, professional and civil society groups to tackle issues such as poor governance, corruption, high cost of living, over-taxation, over-representation and moral decay.

“Kenyans are not just angry about the Finance Bill of 2024. It was simply a trigger,” the forum stated.

The leaders also called upon all religious institutions to dedicate time for prayer and intercession for the country describing the current state of affairs as a spiritual, moral and political emergency.

At the same time, the spiritual leaders categorically opposed the Constitutional Amendment Bill passed by Parliament on July 11, 2025, which seeks to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) into the Constitution.

“This amendment was done without meaningful public participation, in violation of Articles 10, 255, 256, and 257,” the statement declared. “MPs have no constitutional mandate to administer public funds.”

They called on the Senate to reject the bill and urged the Law Society of Kenya to petition the High Court to nullify the amendments.

One of the more controversial issues raised was the reported plan to construct a church within the State House. While acknowledging Kenya’s Christian majority, the religious heads cautioned that such a move would breach the principle of religious neutrality.

“The presidency is a national institution and must remain inclusive. Constructing a church within the State House politicises religion, marginalises non-Christian citizens and is both legally and morally indefensible,” the leaders said.

Meanwhile, the forum maintained that God, ‘the ultimate Judge’ is watching over Kenya and called on all leaders to act with justice and compassion.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, including the people,” they sermonised, urging national unity, peace and the restoration of the spirit of patriotism enshrined in the national anthem.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Victor Kiplagat and Yvone Wanjiru