State House Church row: Muslims ask President Ruto to also build a Mosque

Muslim religious leaders in Mombasa are now urging President William Ruto to build a mosque within the State House, following his recent admission that a church has been constructed on the grounds.

The leaders argue that State House is a national symbol, meant to represent and unite all Kenyans — and as a faith community, Muslims deserve equal recognition, including a place of worship.

“Nasi pia tunaomba sauti yetu isikike, because State House is a place which should consider people from all religions. Vile lilipopatikana jingo la Wakristo, nasi pia tunaomba ipatikane jengo la Waislamu ili tukiwa huko, nasi tupate sehemu ya kuswali,” said Sheikh Abu Qatada, the Chairperson of the Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders

They made the call while protesting a High Court ruling that allows children born out of wedlock in Muslim families to inherit their father’s property — a decision they say contradicts Islamic law.

This comes a day after the president confessed to building a church at State House grounds. These sentiments have since caused all manner of online commotion as Kenyans blast him for the exercise they've termed not only unconstitutional but also unnecessary.

It all started after the Nation newspaper revealed that Ruto was in the process of constructing a Ksh. 1.2 billion mega-church at State House, a startling undertaking that is expected to have a seating capacity of 8,000 people.

After attracting criticism, the President admitted to the religious project, saying that he was not apologetic for building the Lord's house while at the same time likening his detractors to Satan.