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Within the city, roads leading to key government sites - including the president's official residence, State House, and the Kenyan parliament - are barricaded with razor wire.

It is not clear who Ruto was referring to as "the devil" in his comments at State House, but he says nothing will stop the project from going ahead.

"I did not start building this church when I entered the State House. I found a church but one made out of iron sheets. Does that look befitting for the State House?" a defiant Ruto told politicians at a meeting he hosted on Friday.

His absence from State House, his official residence, was notable as young protesters threatened to storm it.

Police used barricades and razor wire to seal off major roads - especially those leading to State House and parliament.