A storm is brewing at the intersection of faith and politics, as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accuses President William Ruto of turning religious spaces into arenas of political control.
Gachagua, speaking out over the weekend, claimed that religious leaders across the country particularly in Central Kenya are facing mounting pressure not to associate with him. He alleges that certain clergy members have been warned, sidelined, or transferred simply for welcoming him to their churches, describing it as a troubling erosion of the church’s independence.
“In recent weeks, church leaders who have hosted me have found themselves suddenly facing disciplinary action or relocation. This is not coincidence it is calculated,” Gachagua said, referencing specific instances in Kiguyo, Rwathia, and Lari, where he claims clergy faced swift retribution after his visits.
He argued that such interference undermines the sanctity of religious institutions, turning them into tools of political exclusion. Gachagua warned that efforts to control who gets a seat in the pews or a chance at the pulpit set a dangerous precedent.
Reflecting on Kenya’s political history, Gachagua remarked that not even the country’s past regimes often criticized for authoritarian tendencies sought to manipulate the church in such a personal way. He characterized the current situation as an overreach born of fear rather than strength.
“This level of interference is not just about me it’s about silencing alternative voices and shrinking the democratic space, even within houses of worship,” he said.
He further insisted that no amount of intimidation would stop him or his allies from attending religious services, emphasizing that spiritual spaces should remain open to all regardless of political affiliation.
“The right to worship cannot and should not be dictated by political interests,” he said. “No one has the authority to block access to God’s house.”
Gachagua’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the ruling coalition, where internal rivalries are spilling into public view. As Kenya’s political season warms up, the role of the church once a refuge from political heat finds itself in the middle of an increasingly bitter power struggle.
