Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday accused President William Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah of intimidating Presbyterian church leaders in a bid to stop him from attending a service in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.

Speaking at PCEA Kamangu in Ichung'wah's Kikuyu constituency, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader claimed the church's presbytery had been used to pressure the parish minister against hosting him, and that the Majority Leader had been deployed to threaten the clergy, Citizen Digital reported.

"We do not want our president to intimidate the church of Christ," Gachagua said. "You chased me out of government, and now you want to chase me out of the church as well?"

He repeated earlier allegations that the government had sent goons to disrupt his church visits in Kiambaa, Mwiki and Kariobangi. Neither Ruto, Ichung'wah nor the PCEA leadership had publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication, and the allegations remain unproven.

'Uhuru and I are one team'

At the same service, Gachagua told Mt Kenya elders pushing to reconcile him with former President Uhuru Kenyatta that there was nothing to reconcile.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta and I are one team," he said, according to The Standard. "Please elders don't reconcile us because there is no need for reconciliation." He said the two meet and share meals, and urged the elders to concentrate on keeping the Mt Kenya region united, warning that divisions would weaken its political voice.

Gachagua was received at the church by former Kiambu Governor James Nyoro. Capital FM reported that he also used the service to warn Ruto's allies to stop courting Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Claims over Rironi-Mau Summit road

Gachagua also disputed Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir's explanation for delays on the Rironi-Mau Summit highway. Chirchir told a Senate committee on Friday that a bitumen shortage linked to supply chain disruptions had slowed works and that the opening of the first 60km stretch would move to early December.

"The truth is, the Chinese have simply stated that there is no money," Gachagua claimed, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke, alleging that Chinese officials had declined to release funds because they viewed the project as politically risky ahead of the 2027 polls. Chirchir, who inspected the road on Saturday, has said bitumen has been secured and that the contractor will lay about 4km a day. The ministry and the contractor had not responded to Gachagua's claims.

Why it matters

  • Kikuyu is the home turf of Ichung'wah, one of Ruto's most vocal defenders in Mt Kenya, making Gachagua's visit a direct challenge in his backyard.
  • Church services have become a key political stage in the region, with some of Gachagua's past visits marred by chaos.
  • The Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway is one of the government's flagship projects in Mt Kenya and the Rift Valley ahead of 2027.

Photos: The Star; The Standard. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.