Gachagua Deems Ruto's Alleged Transfer Of Pastors 'Highest Form Of Dictatorship'
He further alleges that pastors who host or engage with him are often swiftly transferred or pushed out soon after his appearances.
Marvin Chege 
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that President William Ruto is hellbent on suppressing opposing voices in a dictatorial style by targeting the church, once viewed as a neutral and sacred ground.
According to Gachagua, who spoke during a church service at AIPCA Meru on Sunday, June 22, the Head of State is leveraging a network of allies and powerful insiders to manipulate church leadership to sideline him.
He further alleges that pastors who host or engage with him are often swiftly transferred or pushed out soon after his appearances.
President William Ruto during a church service at Friends Comprehensive School, Kivaywa, Kakamega County on June 15, 2025. /PCS
"These leaders from the AIPCA were invited to the church almost two weeks ago and given stern instructions not to host me. The President has become a dictator even in the church, with intentions to dictate who should or should not be allowed to worship," Gachagua stated.
Looking back on his days as an administrative officer during President Daniel Arap Moi's era, Gachagua remarked that despite Moi’s reputation for dictatorship, he never attempted to control or interfere with the church the way it is happening now.
"He has become desperate with intentions to direct the church on who can host us and who cannot. This is the highest form of dictatorship, and even President Moi did not go that far," he remarked.
Gachagua pointed to specific examples, such as the transfer of an archdeacon who had received him in Kiguyo and Rwathia, and pressure on a bishop in Lari who had hosted him. In both instances, he alleged that state operatives acted quickly to intimidate or sideline clergy seen as supportive of him.
The former Mathira MP also accused the government of orchestrating a broader strategy to cut him off from influential religious circles, particularly in Central Kenya, where the church holds major sway in both social and political spheres.
Despite the alleged intimidation, Gachagua insisted he and his allies would continue attending church services, declaring that they wouldn’t be bullied into staying away from places of worship.
"No one will stop us from worshipping. The church belongs to God, not to any one individual or political office," he said defiantly.
In a related turn of events, Gachagua spoke out following the killing of Catholic priest Father John Maina Ndegwa, who served as the parish priest at Igwamiti Parish in Nyandarua County. He revealed that Father Maina had been openly critical of the government in the weeks leading up to his violent death.
Gachagua described the late priest as both a close friend and personal advisor, noting that just two weeks before his murder, Maina had delivered a bold sermon where he openly expressed concerns about the state of the country.
The priest was found dead on Thursday, May 15, near the Diatomite stage along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, with visible injuries on the left side of his head, discovered by a bodaboda rider.
Reports indicate that on April 27, 2025, Father Maina had participated in a silver jubilee celebration for Igwamiti Catholic Parish and the ordination of Father Simon Thuita, which Gachagua and other politicians also attended, just weeks before the tragic incident.
