A calculated political stunt featuring a group of women posing as church officials backfired spectacularly this past Sunday, turning a worship service graced by President William Ruto into a raucous political arena and sparking national outrage.

The incident at the AIPCA Karuri Church in Gatundu North has ignited a fierce debate over the sanctity of places of worship and the increasingly brazen use of 'rent-a-crowd' tactics in Kenyan politics. For ordinary Kenyans, it raises a critical question: if the pulpit can be bought, what space remains sacred from political manipulation?

The controversy erupted when women wearing the signature blue turbans of the AIPCA Women Council began acting as a cheering squad. Witnesses noted the group, flanked by bouncers, booed and jeered leaders perceived as political opponents of their sponsors, while loudly cheering others. The service was attended by President Ruto for a fundraiser where he donated more than Sh70 million (approx. $538,000 USD) to various church projects.

Sanctuary Under Siege

The church leadership moved swiftly to condemn the disruption. An AIPCA official, speaking on Monday, stated the women were not members of the church's council. "These are not our ways as a church. What happened was brought by politicians," an AIPCA leader asserted. The church alleged that the women were ferried to the venue and that their official-looking headscarves had been improperly acquired.

The disruption was reportedly linked to local political rivalries, particularly between Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a. Tensions flared when Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia introduced Wamatangi as the "outgoing Governor," triggering heckling from the hired group. President Ruto eventually had to intervene, calling for respectful politics.

A Pattern of Politicising the Pulpit

This event is not an isolated incident but highlights a growing trend of political interference in religious spaces, which many Kenyans view as a violation of their faith and a threat to social cohesion. The public reaction was swift, with many taking to social media to criticize the politicians involved for turning a church service into a political battlefield.

• Date of Incident: Sunday, December 14, 2025.
• Location: AIPCA Karuri Church, Gatundu North Constituency, Kiambu County.
• Key Allegation: Politicians hired and dressed non-members to act as a claque.
• Church's Stance: The AIPCA has disowned the group and demanded an apology.

Youth leaders within the church were among the first to raise the alarm online, expressing their shame and disgust at the proceedings. "The Women Council has a dressing code while in church, and this is not what I am seeing here," one youth leader, John Gitau, wrote in a viral social media post.

As the nation processes this blatant politicisation of the sanctuary, the AIPCA has warned it will continue to welcome political leaders but will not tolerate the pulpit being used for divisive politics. The incident in Gatundu serves as a stark reminder of the fragile line between faith and politics, leaving many to wonder how to protect one from the other.