Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto, accusing him of exploiting religious platforms for political gain and misgoverning the country after the 2022 elections.
In a detailed post shared on X, Gachagua framed his remarks as a reflection on how faith-based appeals influenced voting decisions and how, in his view, the expectations that followed were not met.
In the statement, Gachagua argued that President Ruto’s rise to power was partly built on sustained engagement with churches across the country.
He said the campaign period was marked by regular church visits, generous donations, and messaging that resonated strongly with Christian voters, leading many to back Ruto as a candidate aligned with religious values.
Gachagua claimed this approach helped consolidate support across regions where church influence plays a central social and political role.
Turning to governance, the former deputy president alleged that the administration later departed from the image projected during the campaign.
He accused the government of presiding over serious human rights concerns, economic strain on workers through increased statutory deductions, and weak service delivery in key sectors such as health and education.
These claims were presented as his personal assessment and were not accompanied by documentary evidence in the post.
Gachagua also raised concerns about the current relationship between politics and the church.
He alleged that there were renewed efforts to use religious gatherings as platforms for political mobilisation, including transporting supporters to services and financially incentivising public displays of support.
According to Gachagua, some church leaders had resisted such engagement, while others were accused of allowing political activity within worship spaces.
The remarks come against the backdrop of Kenya’s long-standing intersection between religion and politics, where church leaders have historically played influential roles during election periods and national debates.
President Ruto’s political journey, from deputy president under former President Uhuru Kenyatta to winning the presidency in 2022 under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has often featured strong church outreach.
Gachagua’s statement underscores the widening political rift within Kenya Kwanza’s former leadership ranks following his fallout with the president earlier this year.
It also feeds into broader public discussions about accountability, the cost of living, and the role of religious institutions in partisan politics