Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was dealt a blow alongside other political dignitaries on Sunday, March 16, after he was banned from making an address in church.
Gachagua attended a church service alongside his new-found ally Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in Makadara for the Consecration and Enthronement of Bishop Canon Jonathan Kabiru.
There was an anticipation of what would happen during the event, which was attended by both allies and foes of the Kenya Kwanza government. However, tensions were put to rest after ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit announced there would not be a public address by politicians inside the church.
“I want to give directions that from today henceforth, In any Anglican congregation, there will be no opportunity for any political leader to have a speech in the church,” he stated.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Consecration and Enthronement Service for the 3rd Bishop of ACK Nairobi Diocese Ven. Canon Jonathan Kabiru, Makadara Constituency on Sunday, March 16 2025.
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Kenya Digital News
He added that the politicians will henceforth be banned from speaking in all ACK churches and would not tolerate political addresses inside their ‘sanctuaries’ going forward.
“We will mention their names, they will wave their hands if they so wish to speak to the congregants, it will be done outside of the sanctuary not only today but in all our dioceses and churches,” he added.
He further added that any contributions made in ACK churches will not be announced publicly but contributors will only be asked to wave at the congregants.
“We have already declared and we want to declare today that giving in the Anglican Church will not be announced. Just give as God directs you to give,” he added.
True to the Archbishop’s directive, politicians were rendered helpless during the event as their donations were quietly received by the church with no mention of the amount the politicians donated.
Moreover, political dignitaries attending the event remained largely unacknowledged, with Ole Sapit briefly mentioning their names, prompting them to stand and wave to the congregation.
The ban by the ACK church came amid political tensions between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza allies and the government’s political adversaries, with a majority of tensions stemming from comments made during church services.
In one of the latest church services, Gachagua sensationally claimed Ruto had auctioned the Bomas of Kenya to a Turkish businessman. The government has since denied these claims.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attending a church service at ACK Diocese of Kajiado Holy Trinity-Kitengela Church on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
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Rigathi Gachagua