Gachagua Praises Ruto, Calls Out MPs For Criticising Catholic Bishops

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, November 17 acknowledged President William Ruto for committing to address some of the issues raised by Catholic Bishops, but at the same time criticised his Kenya Kwanza allies over how they responded to criticism from the church clerics.

“I am happy that yesterday President William Ruto acknowledged that the Catholic bishops had raised some issues and he committed to listen to them for them to be addressed. That is the way to go,” Gachagua remarked while speaking at PCEA Kerarapon Church, Kajiado County.

While speaking in Embu County on Saturday, November 16, President Ruto promised to address the issues raised by the clerics, including the ones in healthcare.

The impeached second-in-command at the same time admitted that church leaders speak with good reason, adding that the decision by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) to issue a stern statement calling out President Ruto’s administration was not out of the blue.

The Catholic Bishops through the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops during a press conference on November 14, 2024. /PHOTO

He cautioned UDA-affiliated leaders against coming for church leaders, referencing the trend that he witnessed during late former President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime.

“When our spiritual fathers speak, they don’t just speak in vain. I don’t think over 30 bishops can meet and do a statement from nowhere. If there are people who know what the ground is saying is our church leaders. We were very disappointed when our Catholic bishops spoke and we saw some MPs abusing them.

“I saw the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly lecturing Catholic bishops like children. I want to tell you leaders to stop being arrogant. Those of us who have been around for a while know how the politics of this country go,” Gachagua explained.

According to Gachagua, the culture of arrogance and abuse toward religious leaders was synonymous in the 1990s during Moi’s regime. He warned, “I can see the same pattern, and we all know what the consequences were.”

“Let’s be humble. Let’s allow our spiritual leaders to chastise us in love. To correct us when we are wrong. Let us accord respect to our church leaders,” he advised.

Gachagua also appeared to take a subtle jab at his former boss, President Ruto, by issuing a warning to leaders who he claimed thought had too much power. “You think you have too much power because you are in government. Be very careful so history does not repeat itself,” the former Deputy President added.

On Friday, November 15, KCCB stole the headlines with a no-holds-barred statement on President Ruto’s government, expressing its appallment for the blatant recurring incidents of reported abductions, disappearances, torture and killings of Kenyans. They also lamented the increasing murder of women, all of which caused great consternation, anger and disgust.

The church leaders had little to no good thing to say about Ruto’s regime, as they reiterated Kenyans had lost trust in the government.

Almost immediately,  a number of Kenya Kwanza leaders ranging from senators to lawmakers, issued rebuttals with some urging the church leaders to focus on the church. This was followed by a flurry of statements from government officials clarifying the remarks by the bishops on specific sectors. 

Ruto on Friday, November 15 advised the clergy to stop the criticism and work closely with the government towards the progress of the nation. “I want to ask leaders and clergy to work together towards a nation we can all be proud of and even as we engage in public discourse, which is important to Kenyans,” President Ruto commented.

“We must be careful to be factual lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing, I know you know what I mean.”