"We Must Produce One Presidential Candidate", Gachagua Turns Kibabii Church Service Into Fiery Political Rally In Bungoma
Politics Updated: 14 June 2026 17:35 EAT
Democracy for the Citizens Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua speaking during the church service at St. Mary’s Kibabii Catholic Church , Kanduyi Constituency, Bungoma County.
The Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Kibabii Catholic Church in Kanduyi Constituency, Bungoma County, became a major political event after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua delivered a lengthy address combining religious greetings, family metaphors, and strong political messaging during a Western Kenya tour.
Gachagua opened his remarks by warmly acknowledging church leadership, congregants, and fellow leaders, grounding his message in faith and unity while invoking Christian greetings and blessings.
“Ah, thank you, Reverend Father Emmanuel, and the church leadership, my fellow leaders, and all congregants. Tumsifu Yesu Kristo, daima na milele. Amina. Mungu ni mwema kila wakati, na kila wakati Mungu ni mwema na hiyo ndio haki yake. Nisalimieni kwa hewa. Bwana Yesu asifiwe, Amen. Bwana Yesu asifiwe tena. Mlembe, mlembe, mlembe!”
He then shifted into a personal and familial tone, describing political unity through the lens of family relationships and collective responsibility, repeatedly encouraging cohesion among supporters.
“Mimi, Reverend Father, nimeshukuru sana kutupatia nafasi kuja kushiriki na washirika, na hasa mimi najua ni mtu napenda familia, strong families, form a strong nation. Kwa hivyo, mambo ya familia nimeitilia maanani sana. Kwa hivyo, nikungana hapa na my cousins nafurahi sana. Hi cousins! Hi kuzo! Hi cousins! Hai makuzo, wapendane wasipendane? Wapendane makuzo, washiriki pamoja. Washiriki pamoja, washiriki pamoja.”
He continued expanding on the idea of unity, using extended family symbolism to emphasise cohesion and coordination among political allies and supporters gathered at the church event.
“Asante sana. Sisi tumefika hapa juzi tukija kutembelea makuzoo wetu kujuliana hali na kupangana vile tutatembea pamoja. Akafa familia kwa sababu shida zikiwa nyingi, familia inarudi inaketi inapangana kifamilia. Kwa hivyo, tunashukuru sana pia tumepata nafasi kushiriki pamoja na Reverend Father ametuhubiria vizuri mambo ya uongozi bora ya kuunganisha watu na kutoa mwelekeo sawasawa.”
He then expressed concern about the state of national leadership, referring to past political alliances and questioning the current relationship between government and the church.
“Na mimi nikiwa hapa kanisani, nina huzuni sana ya kwamba tulipotafuta serikali na William Ruto, nilikuwa naibu wake. Tulisaidiwa sana na Kanisa la Kristo na tulienda makanisa kila pahali. And for the first time, the Church of Christ believed that they had a candidate. Tangu tuachane na huyu William Ruto, sijui nini ilishika yeye. Amegeuka Kanisa la Kristo na kanisa imehangaishwa. I can't believe it.”
He escalated his criticism, questioning alleged hostility toward religious institutions and raising concerns about incidents he attributed to organised disruption during public and religious gatherings.
“Mimi nauliza, William Ruto, tangu tuachane, what happened to you? Why have you turned against the Church of Christ? Ile tumeona jana ni aibu kubwa. Goons wamepangwa na watu kwenda kuvamia na kuhangaisha wale walikuwa pale cathedral wakifanya post-budget analysis ya kwamba, goons sponsored by government escorted by police wamefika pale. Wamevamia Kanisa la Kristo.”
He compared these incidents to past political eras, arguing that even historically authoritarian regimes did not interfere with places of worship, reinforcing his claim that the situation had worsened.
“Hata wakati wa Moi, ambaye alikuwa dictator mbaya, Moi hakuvamia kanisa ndani. Hata Timoth Joya walimpiga nje ya kanisa, hawakuingia ndani ya kanisa.”
Gachagua further questioned what he described as a shift in leadership behaviour, directly addressing the President and linking governance to moral and religious expectations.
“Tunashindwa iko shida gani? William Ruto, wewe ulikuwa unatembea na Bibilia kila pahali na kusema umeokoka na kuimba nyimbo za Kristo. Imekuwaje serikali unaongoza wewe umepatia Murkomen nafasi, blank check, to finance them to cause terror against the people of Kenya?”
He then moved into allegations involving past incidents and claimed that investigations had been completed into alleged security operations targeting religious gatherings.
“Unakumbuka tulivamiwa pale kanisa Witima ICK church by 12 police officers armed with grenades, bombs, teargas wakatuhumia kanisani na walikuwa wamepangwa na Mukomen na William Ruto amethibitisha. Na tangu wakati huo uchunguzi ulifanywa na ukakamilika na hao maafisa wote wakajulikana. Na faili ikakuwa tayari wapelekwe kortini washitakiwe.”
He warned security officers that accountability would follow future political transitions, insisting that alleged misconduct had been documented and would be pursued legally.
“So, those 12 police officers, I want to inform you today that criminal acts have no time limitation. Next year, because rais atatoka hapa kati yetu, tukiingia ndani, nyote hao police officers, because I have the duplicate file—even if it is destroyed, it will be reconstructed—mtakanyaga kwa bau na mtajibu mashtaka ya kuvamia Kanisa la Kristo na kuumiza washirika.”
He also issued broader warnings to security leadership, alleging misuse of police resources and calling for record-keeping of officers’ actions in public order situations.
“Here we want to tell our senior police officers: we know 98% of you are opposed to Goonism. 98% are complaining that Kipchumba Murkomen is too much, that you can no longer tell the difference between police and goons. Goons are using police vehicles to attack Kenyans.”
He extended his remarks to alleged incidents in Western Kenya, referencing clashes between groups and security forces while warning local commanders of future accountability.
“The police commander in charge of hapo Mumias, hapo we are putting you on notice. Next year you shall answer why ulikubalia goons kuhangaisha wananchi na wewe umepewa mamlaka to protect life and property.”
He then intensified his political rhetoric, predicting political change and warning of consequences for current leadership and institutions, while linking governance failures to national instability.
“Kenyans will say no to Goonism and people will take the law into their own hands and there will be anarchy in this country. And I have told you repeatedly, William Ruto, that is a young man who is excited by power.”
He also criticised senior state officials, including Parliament leadership and the Interior Ministry, accusing them of mismanagement and politicisation of governance structures.
“Speaker of National Assembly has become a youth winger instead of making good laws for this country. He is organizing goonism na kukataza watu kutembea Kenya. How can it be?”
The address concluded with renewed calls for opposition unity, urging leaders to agree on a single presidential candidate and to commit to supporting whoever emerges through consensus, framing the message as essential for national stability and political direction.
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FELIX MAKONA
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