Kiambu, November 1, 2026 — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah of extending political pressure from government into places of worship, claiming the same forces that removed him from office are now interfering with his church attendance.Peopledaily
Speaking during a service at PCEA Kamangu Parish in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County, on Sunday, Gachagua said he was chased from government and is now being denied or obstructed from freely attending church by the same actors.
“Ruto, you chased me out of government, and now you want to chase me out of the church too?” he stated, according to reports of the address. He accused Ichung’wah of assisting Ruto in persecuting the Mt Kenya community and undermining local businesses.
Gachagua further claimed political interference had reached the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). He alleged that church leadership had been used to threaten a parish minister over the decision to welcome him to the service.
“Sasa tumefika hapo ya kwamba Ruto ameingilia kila kitu mpaka kanisa mahali tunaenda kuomba Mungu,” he said, arguing that political leaders should not interfere with places of worship. He warned against what he described as colonial-style interference in church matters and said he expected the intimidation to end by August 10, 2027.
Gachagua also pledged to write to the PCEA Moderator of the General Assembly to seek protection for the parish minister from alleged harassment. He has previously accused the government of using security forces and political allies to disrupt his church visits in different parts of the country.
Ichung’wah, a close ally of President Ruto and Majority Leader in the National Assembly, has been a frequent critic of Gachagua since the former Deputy President’s impeachment in 2024. Neither Ruto nor Ichung’wah had immediately responded to the latest claims at the time of reporting.