Editor's Review

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of stage managing his church congregations to repair his public image.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of stage managing his church congregations to repair his public image.

In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, Gachagua alleged that the President hired goons and ferried them to church using school buses to cheer him. 

The DCP party leader claimed that the individuals were paid Ksh1,000 each, and church donations had been increased from Ksh2 million to Ksh20 million. 

“He is back with trickery, treachery. Knowing that genuine Christians cannot buy his antics, he has become very imaginative and extremely creative at the altar; ferry goons and cheerleaders to churches using school buses. Pat them a thousand bob each. Increase church donations from Ksh2M to Ksh20M,” Gachagua alleged.

The former DP also claimed that Ruto’s strategy involves providing uniforms and headgear associated with various church groups, including women’s guilds and mothers’ unions, to the hired supporters.

Read More

  1. Support for Broad-based Government Doubles in 6 Months - TIFA Report
  2. Ruto Breaks Down How New Policy Targeting Indigenous and Marginalised Groups Will Work
  3. President Ruto Announces Establishment of Ksh500 Million Scholarship Program

Collage photo of some of the congregants during President Ruto's service at the AIPCA church in Gatundu North. 

“For the congregation to look organic, he has acquired headgear 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 claimed.

Gachagua further accused a section of religious leaders of collaborating with the government in the scheme.

“I am glad this shame cannot be entertained in the Catholic Church, PCEA, and ACK, as well as several Pentecostals and Evangelicals.

“Looking at this desperation, I remember an African proverb that says ‘When the Death of a monkey is imminent, all trees are slippery’,” Gachagua added.

His allegations come after President Ruto attended a service at AIPCA in Gatundu North on Sunday, December 14.

Kiambu leaders, including Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia, and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, accompanied the president.

During the service, supporters of Wamatangi and Ng’ang’a engaged in a shouting contest in front of President Ruto.

In the course of political speeches, Kururia recognized Ng’ang’a as an incoming governor and Wamatangi as an outgoing governor.

Rising to speak, the governor addressed the issues pertinent to the county, including development, before taking on the MP for downplaying him.

"Kururia, I am the current governor and the one to be. Don't be in doubt in your mind. If you have a doubt, you can see who the governor is (referencing the cheers)," he said.

Photos from the service also showed some men wearing women’s headgear, disguising themselves as members of the AIPCA church.