Gachagua Hits Out At Ruto During Bishop Maina Installation Service In Ruai
Politics Updated: 09 May 2026 18:59 EAT
DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua speaking during Elevation Service of Rev. Maina wa OTC to the office of Bishop, Ruai Nairobi County.
Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday attended the elevation service of Rev. Maina wa OTC to the office of Bishop during a colourful ceremony held in Ruai, Nairobi County. The event brought together clerics, politicians, worshippers and supporters from different regions as the church celebrated the promotion of the preacher into senior leadership.
Addressing the congregation shortly after his arrival, Gachagua opened his speech by greeting church leaders and worshippers while congratulating the newly installed bishop and his wife.
“Our new bishop, Bishop Maina, and your wife, Reverend Esther. All the bishops who have arrived. All the leaders who have arrived, my fellow Christians, God is good. And all the time, greet me through the air. Praise the Lord Jesus. Praise the Lord Jesus again.”
The former Deputy President used the occasion to praise the organisation of the church ceremony and called for order among youths who had turned the service into a politically charged gathering with whistles and vuvuzelas. He urged attendees to respect the sanctity of the church service despite the heavy political presence.
“Bishop, our father, we want to say thank you for this special ceremony of the installation of Reverend Minor to be a bishop. We have said thank you, and I want to say I am very pleased with how you have conducted that ceremony; leave those words aside, especially the first ones. Hapa tuko kanisani; vijana mko? Vijana nawaomba tafadhali, nawaomba vijana wetu kwa heshima, tuko kanisani—tuheshimu kanisa, tuheshimu askofu.”
Gachagua specifically appealed to his supporters to stop blowing whistles and vuvuzelas during prayers, saying political excitement should not overshadow the religious significance of the ceremony. He insisted that politics and worship should remain separate during church functions.
“Tuachane na mambo ya vuvuzela. Hata wale mmesimama kwa viti, mmeleta hawa vijana, waambieni tuko kanisani hapa; hapa ni mahali pa maombi. Tutatoka hapa twende tufanye ile siasa kali nje. Kwa hivyo vijana tafadhali tuachane na mambo ya vuvuzela na filimbi; tuheshimu ibada ya leo. I want to say to our bishop, congratulations Bishop Minor, na Reverend Esther, hongereni kwa kusimikwa na kupandishwa ngazi katika uongozi wa Church of Christ.”
The DCP leader then shifted his address to personal testimony, revealing that Bishop Maina had allegedly predicted his political downfall long before he was removed from office as Deputy President. Gachagua described the cleric as a genuine prophet whose warnings eventually came true.
“Mimi huyu Reverend Maina nilimjua; alinifuata kwa muda mrefu sana, na nina ushuhuda ya kwamba yeye ni nabii wa kweli. Huyu Reverend Minor wa UTC alinifuata wakati nilikuwa Deputy President, akaketi chini pamoja nami. Akaniambia, ‘Mungu amenionyesha kuna njama inapangwa kukuondoa ofisini, na kabla mwaka huu uishe utaondolewa’. Nikamwambia haiwezekani. ‘Nitaondolewaje na huyu mtu nilisaidia juzi?’ Akaniambia, ‘Huyu uliyemsaidia ndiye anakupangia, na amepanga, na Mungu amenionyesha itakuwa hivyo’.”
Gachagua went on to narrate how the bishop allegedly predicted that Members of Parliament would be bribed to support efforts to remove him from office. According to the former Deputy President, he initially dismissed the prophecy because he believed leaders from his political stronghold would remain loyal to him.
“Nikamuuliza, ‘Ataniondoaje? Lazima kura ipitie Bunge’. Akaniambia, ‘Hapana, wabunge wote watapewa pesa wakutoe’. Nikamwambia, ‘Lakini hata wakipewa pesa, wale wa nyumbani Mlima hawawezi kuchukua’. Akaniambia, ‘Wote isipokuwa wachache watakusaliti’.”
The opposition figure further claimed the bishop accurately foresaw betrayal from leaders he personally helped rise politically, including individuals from his own constituency. He said the prophecy strengthened his belief that the cleric possessed spiritual insight.
“Huyu Reverend akaniambia watakusaliti mapema. Nikamuuliza, ‘Hata yule wa nyumbani, mbunge wa Mathira ambaye nilifanya awe mbunge?’ Akaniambia, ‘Huyu atakusaliti na akutukane akiwa na bibi yake’. Huyu Reverend kwa hivyo kwangu mimi akiwa nabii, ninashuhudia unabii wake kwa sababu nimeona.”
Despite recounting the alleged betrayal, Gachagua said the bishop also reassured him that his political influence would grow after leaving office. He told the congregation that the prophecy about gaining public support had already become reality.
“Lakini pia aliniambia, ‘Hata ukiondolewa usijali, kwa sababu utapata kibali cha Mungu na wananchi’. Akaniambia, ‘Ndani ya mwaka mmoja utakuwa maarufu mara kumi zaidi kuliko ukiwa ofisini,’ na hiyo imekuwa kweli.”
The former Deputy President used the moment to caution Kenyans against false prophets, saying genuine spiritual leaders should not manipulate believers for political or personal gain. He appeared to reference recent controversial prophecies involving government allies.
“Kwa hivyo tunapenda watumishi wa Mungu, na hasa tunataka manabii wa kweli kwa sababu pia kuna manabii wa uongo. Juzi niliona wengine wa Akorino walienda kule; nabii wa uongo akatokea kule akisema Mungu alimwambia sokoni kutakuwa tamu. Kwa jina la Yesu, manabii wa uongo wako, na Biblia imeandika wazi kutakuwa na manabii wa uongo.”
Gachagua then launched a sharp attack against President William Ruto, accusing him of using the Akorino church for political optics and embarrassing the faith by dressing politicians in religious attire. His remarks drew loud reactions from sections of the congregation.
“Shida yangu ni William Ruto kutumia kanisa letu la Akorino kutuaibisha. Nina shida ya kuchukua watu ambao si Akorino kuwavalisha vilemba kama Moses Kuria; nina shida na hiyo. Hiyo ni kuaibisha kanisa letu la Kikristo.”
He questioned the authenticity of individuals recently presented as Akorino faithful during State House events, accusing political operatives of staging religious symbolism for political purposes. Gachagua said such actions disrespected genuine church members.
“Hamujaona Moses amevaa kilemba? Si juzi alikuwa mahali kwa local? Hawa ni Akorino fake. Nilikemea wale waliokusanywa wakaenda State House kwa uongo; wanachukua vitambaa wanakata na kujifunga. Nani aliwaambia muende mchukue pesa? Kwa hivyo ilinibidi nitetee Akorino wa kweli na wa asili katika nchi hii.”
The DCP leader also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of sidelining the Mt Kenya region through dismissals and economic discrimination. He claimed members of the community had faced victimisation in government appointments and delayed payments.
“Najua mnatuchukia kama jamii; mmetutesa, mmefukuza watoto wetu kazi KRA na SPD. Mmesema Wakikuyu wasilipwe pending bills. Mmetufanyia kila kitu na ni sawa; tumekubali.”
Even so, Gachagua said he could not remain silent when churches associated with the Mt Kenya region were allegedly being ridiculed for political gain. He accused state operatives of orchestrating fake religious gatherings to undermine respected denominations.
“Lakini hii mambo ya kuaibisha makanisa yetu hapa Mlima tuna shida nayo. Juzi mlienda Gatundu North mkachukua wanaume mkawavisha nguo mkasema ni Mothers’ Council kuuaibisha kanisa la Independent ambalo ni la watu wa Mlima.”
He continued his criticism by revisiting the Akorino issue and insisting political leaders should stop exploiting religious identity for public relations. According to Gachagua, the church must remain sacred and independent from political manipulation.
“Juzi mlileta Akorino mkawavisha kina Moses Kuria vilemba kuaibisha kanisa letu; ndiyo maana nina shida na lazima niseme.”
The former Deputy President later turned his attention to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging President Ruto to stop attacking his predecessor. He defended Uhuru’s legacy and argued that the former Head of State handed over a stable country in 2022.
“William Ruto, wachana na President Uhuru Kenyatta. Alikukabidhi nchi kwa amani. Alikukabidhi nchi ikiwa na mfumo mzuri wa elimu, mfumo mzuri wa afya, kulikuwa na amani na usalama.”
Gachagua accused the current administration of mismanaging the country and dismantling systems that were functioning under the previous government. His remarks triggered applause from sections of the congregation attending the service.
“Kwa miaka tatu umeharibu hiyo yote. Wachana naye. Wacha mtoto wa Ngina akae nyumbani apumzike pekee yake, kwa sababu hiyo ndiyo kitu ya haki kufanya.”
The Ruai event once again highlighted the increasingly political nature of church gatherings in Kenya, with religious functions continuing to serve as platforms for national political messaging. Leaders allied to both government and opposition camps have intensified appearances in churches ahead of future political contests.
Saturday’s ceremony also underscored Gachagua’s growing reliance on grassroots religious engagements as he consolidates support under the DCP banner following his fallout with President Ruto. The former Deputy President has recently intensified tours across Mt Kenya and other regions while positioning himself as a key opposition voice.
The installation of Bishop Maina wa OTC ultimately blended worship, celebration and political mobilisation, reflecting the close relationship between religion and politics in Kenya’s public life. The ceremony ended with prayers for national unity, leadership and peace as worshippers celebrated the elevation of the new bishop.
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FELIX MAKONA
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