Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto's camp of extending their political differences into the church. He alleges intimidation of clergy and attempts to block his attendance at Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) services. Gachagua made these claims at PCEA Kamangu in Kikuyu constituency. He stated that he would write to the PCEA General Secretary seeking a cease-and-desist directive against alleged attacks on the church.
Gachagua specifically accused Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah of being used by the President to intimidate church leaders. He claimed that Ichung'wah had been involved in efforts to prevent him from attending the PCEA service. Rev Peter Kabue narrated that he had been instructed not to host Gachagua. The DCP leader directly challenged Ruto over what he portrayed as an extension of their political fallout into religious spaces.
Gachagua questioned Ruto's motives, asking why he was being targeted even in church. “I want to ask William Ruto: You chased me from government, and now you want to remove me even from church? What is your problem with the PCEA Church and we supported you?” he said. Gachagua also accused the President's allies of orchestrating an attack on PCEA Mwiki, linking the alleged incident to the latest claims of intimidation in Kamangu.
The DCP leader turned his criticism towards Ichung'wah, appealing to the Kikuyu legislator not to allow himself to be used against his own community. He argued that Kikuyu constituency, named after the Kikuyu community, was an important political and cultural area and should not be turned into a platform for political schemes against the region.
Gachagua accused Ichung'wah of playing a role in a series of political developments that weakened the Mt Kenya region. These included his impeachment, the government's response to the Gen Z protests, and the removal of people from the region from government positions. He also cited alleged attacks against former President Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that Ichung'wah had contributed to the political and economic marginalisation of the community.
Since leaving office, Gachagua has repeatedly accused the Ruto administration of targeting his political allies and undermining the region's interests. He has positioned himself as a defender of the community. Gachagua's latest complaint comes against a backdrop of several violent incidents at church services he has attended since his fallout with Ruto.
Several incidents of violence have disrupted Gachagua's church services, including attempts to storm a service at PCEA Mwiki Church in Kasarani, Nairobi county, and clashes at PCEA Kariobangi North in Nairobi. Gachagua has alleged that police officers had trapped him and his allies inside a church during a service at ACK Wairima Church in Othaya.
Key points
- Gachagua accuses Ruto's camp of intimidating clergy and blocking his attendance at PCEA services.
- Gachagua appeals to Ichung'wah not to allow himself to be used against his own community.
- Several violent incidents have disrupted Gachagua's church services since his fallout with Ruto.
