Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s recent appearance in Kiambu County, accusing his administration of deceit, manipulation and turning churches into political campaign venues.
In a lengthy post on X, Gachagua stopped short of naming President Ruto but delivered a thinly veiled critique of what he described as calculated political theatrics designed to win public sympathy and religious support.
“He came with the Holy Bible and tears. He sang all vernacular songs. He memorised all vernacular greetings across the country. He spoke in tongues. He went to all the villages. He memorised all roads and routes in every village and town. He had a coquettish laughter. He donated Sh2 million every Sunday,” Gachagua wrote.
The former deputy president claimed the strategy had since evolved after the government was “cornered and exposed by the church,” accusing unnamed leaders of resorting to trickery and treachery to manufacture public support during church services.
“Knowing that genuine Christians cannot buy his antics, he has become very imaginative and extremely creative at the altar; ferrying goons and cheerleaders to churches using school buses,” Gachagua alleged.
He further claimed that the individuals were allegedly paid Sh1,000 each and that church donations had been inflated from Sh2 million to Sh20 million to create the illusion of organic support, claims that could not immediately be independently verified.
“For the congregation to look organic, he has acquired head gears and dresses for all denominations including Women’s Guild, Mothers Union and Mothers Council. Full containers are ready for use every Sunday; these are being given to women goons and even men with instructions to cheer him in church and shout TUTAM,” he added.
Gachagua also accused some church leaders of colluding in the alleged scheme, claiming that “greedy” bishops had abandoned preaching for open political campaigning.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a chaotic church service in Kiambu County over the weekend that descended into disorder, exposing rising political tensions in the region.
During the service, supporters allied to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and those backing Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a engaged in a shouting match in the presence of President Ruto.
The rival camps traded slogans in an apparent show of political supremacy, nearly escalating into a physical confrontation.
Some of the alleged hired supporters reportedly disguised themselves as congregants by donning blue AIPCA Women’s Council regalia, images Gachagua attached to his fiery post.
Security officers struggled to contain the situation as the service briefly degenerated into a political showdown, forcing clerics to intervene and calm the charged crowd.
With two years to the 2027 General Election, the incident has exposed intensifying political rivalry in Kiambu County, amid claims of growing attempts by a section of leaders to alienate the region from the wider Mt Kenya voting bloc.
