Gachagua Launches Scathing Attack On Ruto Government During Kajiado Church Service
Politics Updated: 13 April 2026 11:46 EAT
Opposition leader and DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua at PEFA Church in Kajiado County
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday escalated his criticism of the government during a church service in Kajiado County, delivering a strongly worded address that sharply targeted the country’s security leadership.
Speaking at a service in PEFA Works Church, Gachagua was accompanied by several political leaders, including Fred Matiang'i, Eugene Wamalwa, and Samuel Seki, as they joined congregants for Sunday worship.
“With leaders Dr. Fred Matiangi, Eugene Wamalwa, Senator Seki and other leaders, we joined the Christian faithful of PEFA Works, Kajiado County for Sunday Service,” Gachagua said.
During the service, he alleged that Kenya was sliding into lawlessness, declaring that “this country has become a country of gun-ism,” as he pointed to recent incidents of violence and disruption of public gatherings.
In his remarks, he directly criticised President William Ruto over the appointment of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, claiming he had previously warned against giving him the powerful docket.
“I told him no, this young man still has too much childishness… for Interior, I want an elder who has matured,” Gachagua said, arguing that the ministry requires a calm and experienced leader capable of handling sensitive security matters.
He went further to accuse Murkomen of presiding over what he termed a system of “violence and intimidation,” alleging that the Interior Ministry had been turned into a tool for political suppression.
Gachagua also named Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, claiming the two were behind an alleged operations base in Lavington, Nairobi, which he described as coordinating violent activities.
“There is an office that has been opened there in Lavington… the work of ‘gun-ism’ that is going on in Kenya is what they are planning,” he claimed during the address.
The former deputy president linked the alleged network to recent disruptions of political meetings, including incidents in Kiambu and church gatherings, which he said were carried out by organised squads.
He alleged that a group of about 12 police officers had previously been investigated over brutality but had since been reinstated and deployed to disrupt opposition activities.
According to Gachagua, the same unit was responsible for violent scenes witnessed at a PCEA church and other political meetings, where tear gas and force were reportedly used against leaders and civilians.
He further claimed that the officers operated under instructions from senior commanders “from above,” suggesting interference in local policing structures.
Gachagua also alleged that tear gas supplies were mobilised from other regions, claiming that a helicopter had been dispatched to Nyeri to replenish stocks during clashes in Kiambu.
In a politically charged claim, he accused Murkomen of deploying security officials from his own community across counties, alleging that such placements were being used to coordinate crackdowns on dissent.
Turning to events preceding his Kajiado visit, Gachagua narrated how an alleged attempt to mobilise youths for violence in Kikuyu was rejected after elders intervened.
“They said Kikuyus will not fight Kikuyus again, and they returned his money,” he said, portraying the move as a stand for unity and restraint among the youth.
He claimed that following the failed mobilisation, pressure was exerted on police commanders to support planned disruptions, including threats of resignation by political figures if security agencies did not cooperate.
The former deputy president warned that similar tactics were being planned in Kajiado, specifically mentioning areas such as Isinya and Kiserian as potential flashpoints.
He cautioned against provoking local communities, stating that “the Maasai are a peaceful community, don’t provoke this community,” in reference to alleged plans to disrupt meetings in the region.
Gachagua further alleged that plainclothes officers wearing masks had been deployed to infiltrate and destabilise gatherings, describing the situation as a dangerous escalation.
In a direct appeal to President Ruto, he warned of severe consequences if political violence continued unchecked, saying the country risked instability if opposition leaders were harmed.
He specifically mentioned leaders such as Fred Matiang'i, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa, cautioning that any harm to them could trigger a national crisis.
“If yesterday Fred Matiang’i had been shot… you would not be in State House,” he said, warning of public backlash and unrest.
Gachagua maintained that despite his criticism, he supports constitutional processes, stating that leaders should be removed through the ballot rather than violence.
“We are willing to wait… to remove you through the ballot,” he said, while urging restraint and adherence to the rule of law.
He concluded by warning that continued mismanagement of security could push the country towards unrest, urging the president to reassess the direction in which the nation is headed.
The remarks underscore the deepening political tensions in Kenya, with Gachagua’s Kajiado address likely to provoke strong responses from government officials and further intensify the national debate on security and governance.
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FELIX MAKONA
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