Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign to manufacture political support through hefty church donations and staged congregations.

The allegations strike at the heart of President Ruto's public persona, which is closely tied to his faith. This escalating feud between the two former allies signals a deepening political fallout following Gachagua's impeachment just over a year ago.

A Calculated Campaign?

Speaking as the leader of the new Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Gachagua claimed the President's team is colluding with “greedy bishops” to manipulate Sunday services for political gain. He alleged that the operation is highly organized.

According to Gachagua, the efforts to create an “organic” show of backing include several tactics:

• Coordinated Attire: Supplying headgear and dresses for women's groups like the Woman's Guild and Mothers Union to create a uniform appearance of support.
• Paid Attendees: Ferrying supporters, whom he termed “goons,” to services with instructions to cheer for the President.
• Increased Donations: Dramatically increasing financial contributions to participating churches.

These accusations come after a history of public debate over the President's substantial church donations, with some contributions reportedly reaching KES 20 million at a single service. While President Ruto has consistently defended his giving as a matter of faith, some clergy have rejected donations over concerns about the source of the funds.

The Political Fallout

The open hostility marks a new low in the relationship between Ruto and Gachagua, whose political marriage crumbled leading to Gachagua's removal from office in October 2024. The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach him on 11 charges, including corruption and undermining the president, a decision later upheld by the Senate.

Since his ouster, Gachagua has become one of the President's most vocal critics, accusing the administration of everything from sidelining Mt. Kenya to orchestrating chaos at his own church events. This latest attack on the President's engagement with the church—a cornerstone of his political base—represents a significant escalation.

As the political landscape shifts, Gachagua's sustained criticism poses a challenge to the unity of the Kenya Kwanza coalition. His direct attacks force political players to choose sides, potentially reshaping alliances ahead of the next election cycle.