KIRINYAGA, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly claimed that President William Ruto objected to him attending church services alongside his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
Speaking at the Kagio Holy Spirit Church in Mwea constituency, Kirinyaga County, on Sunday, June 15, 2025, Gachagua disclosed that he and Pastor Dorcas faced significant humiliation from officials within President Ruto’s camp during his tenure as Deputy President.
Gachagua explained that President Ruto reportedly informed him that it was a matter of protocol for the Deputy President to be accompanied by his wife in public only when the President’s wife was also present. Consequently, if Pastor Dorcas wished to accompany him, it required prior verification of the First Lady’s attendance.
“Niliona juzi watu wa Ruto wakilalamika kwa nini natembea na Pastor Dorcas. Sasa wanataka kunipangia mpaka vile ntakaa na bibi yangu?” Gachagua stated, expressing his incredulity at the alleged attempts to control his personal conduct.
He elaborated on the alleged mistreatment: “Unajua, these people waliniumiza sana mimi na huyu mama nikiwa ofisini because William Ruto hakutaka nitembe na mama kanisani akiweko akaniambia protogal wise it is only right that when he is with his wife is when I should be with mine so ikakuwa ati mama akitaka kutembea na mimi lazima tuulize kama bibi ya Ruto atakuwa hapo.”
The former Deputy President further recounted instances where the Office of the First Lady would initially confirm her attendance at church events, only to later change plans, resulting in Pastor Dorcas being asked to leave.
“Pastor Dorcas alipata a lot of humiliation because office ya mama rachel atakuwepo ndio wakuwe pamoja raisi alisema nikionekana niko na bibi na yeye hana picha si mzuri kwa sababu mimi ni mdogo wake nikasema sawa. Saa zengine mama anaambiwa akuje mama Rachel changes her mind tukifika pale pastor Dorcas anaambiwa rudi nyumbani anaaibika sana,” he said, detailing the embarrassment his wife reportedly endured.
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Gachagua provided a specific example during the unveiling of Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) position. He stated that the Office of the First Lady had initially confirmed her attendance, but at the last minute, their plans changed. When Pastor Dorcas accompanied him, she was reportedly instructed to leave.
“One day tumeenda siku ya unveil Raila pale AU office ya mama Rachel wamepigia pastor Dorcas ati mama atakuwepo tumeenda na yeye saile tumeketi mtu wa protogal anasema mama Rachel hakuji pastor Dorcas aondoke nikasema hapana this is too much,” he disclosed.
He concluded by recounting his direct confrontation with the President on one occasion: “Kukaka rais akajua akaniambia si tulikubaliana hii kitu italeta picha mbaya, ongea na pastor aende tubaki na wewe hapa nikamwabia hapana and if you insist, she goes hata mimi nitaondoka.”
