President William Ruto has pledged Ksh20 million towards the completion of the ACK St Peter’s Cathedral in Siaya, a project that has stalled for the past two decades.

The head of state made the commitment on Sunday, August 31, 2025, during a church service in Siaya County. His announcement followed a request from the local bishop, who highlighted the prolonged delay in completing the cathedral construction.

The president went ahead to express concern about how the cathedral had taken too many years for it to be completed, yet members of the same church, according to Ruto, have managed to develop their own homes to completion, but the house of God was lagging behind.

“So Bishop Hio Cathedral ya hapa Siaya, mnajua imejengwa miaka ishirini; just imagine, kila mtu hapa amejenga nyumba yake, amemaliza, lakini kanisa ya mungu hapa imekwama, na tuko hapa, tunaongea kingereza mingi, tunaongeza na kijaluo,” he stated.

President Ruto assured the congregation that he would mobilise resources to support the church project.

The pledge

He committed Ksh20 million towards the construction of the church, and since his now ally, former prime minister Raila Odinga, is a member of the same church and he had earlier informed him that he would attend a church service in his backyard, he decided to pledge an additional Ksh5 million for Raila to also contribute towards the construction of the sanctuary.

“kwa sababu bishop amenionyesha inahitaji pesa mingi, nyinyi mtafanya sehemu yenu; mimi nitafanya sehemu yangu; nitawatafutia  shilingi million ishirini ya kujenga hiyo kanisa, na baba alinituma, na naskia yeye ni mtu wa ACK. mimi nimepledge kwa niaba yake shilingi million 5, alete ya kumaliza hii kanisa,” he added

The President further called on Siaya leaders present during the services, including Governor James Orengo and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, to rally behind the project and provide additional support to ensure the long-awaited cathedral is finally completed.

“Alafu kina James Orengo, Opiyo Wandayi, mkuje mmalize hio ingine,” he added.

He went on to urge political leaders to shun divisive leadership as he emphasised on unity in governance