OREGON, USA – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has asked First Lady Rachel Ruto to deliver a message to President William Ruto over what he described as the government’s alleged disregard for the sanctity of the church.
Speaking in the United States on Sunday, Gachagua urged the First Lady to ask the President to assure Kenyans that churches would remain safe spaces and would not be targeted during political confrontations.
“We trust that she will talk to her husband to give an assurance to the people of Kenya that the church is where people run to when they are in trouble. To assure them that never again will they be attacked inside church,” he said.
Gachagua invokes Moi era
Gachagua said political disputes should not be taken into places of worship, arguing that churches should remain places where Kenyans can seek refuge.
He cited the administration of former President Daniel Moi, saying even during the controversial era, security officers respected the sanctity of churches.
“Even during the Moi era, nobody was ever attacked in church. Even if police were after you and you ran into a church, they didn’t touch you. They would wait for you outside,” he said.
Gachagua also urged Rachel Ruto to ask her husband to assure Kenyans that there would be no repeat of the violence witnessed during the 2007/2008 post-election crisis.
Gachagua raises 2007 church massacre
The former Deputy President referred to the 2007/2008 post-election violence, when people seeking refuge at a church were killed after the building was set on fire.
He said churches must never again become scenes of political violence or attacks on civilians.
Gachagua further called on Rachel Ruto to pressure the President to allow police to prosecute suspects linked to the alleged attack at Witima Church.
“The people are known. The file is ready, but William Ruto has refused to prosecute those people because he is the one who sent them,” Gachagua alleged.
The claim about the President’s alleged involvement is a political allegation by Gachagua and has not been established as fact.
Rachel Ruto opens replacement church
Gachagua’s remarks came after Rachel Ruto opened a newly constructed church in Kiambaa, Uasin Gishu County.
The new Christian Life Assembly church replaced the KAG Kiambaa Church, which was burnt during the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Gachagua used the occasion to renew his call for churches to remain protected from political conflict and for those responsible for attacks to face the law.
His comments add to growing political exchanges between him and Ruto as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
