'Women Council' stunt at church service graced by Ruto backfires
A group of women — later identified by the church as non-members —attending a service at AIPCA Karuri Church in Gatundu North.
What began as a routine display of political cheerleading for President William Ruto and his allies during a Sabbath service at AIPCA Karuri Church in Gatundu North Constituency last Sunday, appears to have backfired spectacularly.
The controversy erupted after a group of women — later identified by the church as non-members — arrived at the service wearing official AIPCA Women Council blue turbans.
Transported to the church as a cheering squad, the women’s overzealous conduct disrupted the worship service, turning it into a noisy and unruly affair.
President Ruto was attending a combined worship service and fundraiser during which he personally donated more than Sh70 million to various church projects.
Witnesses noted that the women, flanked by male bouncers and posing as officially sanctioned members of the AIPCA Women Council, positioned themselves in one corner of the church.
At several points, they booed and jeered perceived political opponents, ululated, whistled and jumped in excitement — behaviour that many congregants found inappropriate for a place of worship.
One of the church’s youth leaders John Gitau, 28, reacted angrily and took to social media to express his outrage.
“From today, I distance myself from this church. I will tear my baptismal certificate into pieces because of this shame. The Women Council has a dressing code while in church, and this is not what I am seeing here,” he wrote.
Mr Gitau accused the “strange women” of infiltrating the service while dressed casually and tying headscarves improperly, alleging their mission was to heckle political opponents and cheer specific leaders.
He was among a group of Gen Z worshippers who protested by photographing and recording videos of the women and sharing them online. Their actions caused the incident to trend on social media, sparking a nationwide debate on the hiring of worshippers for political ends and appropriate conduct in places of worship.
Church values
Mr Gitau cited a previous sermon by AIPCA Archbishop Frederick Wang’ombe, who had warned that official church attire was sacred and should only be worn by members committed to upholding church values.
“Women Council members are expected to live exemplary lives and observe a strict code of conduct, much like elders of the church. The official headgear is not merely a uniform; it symbolises vows made to God and the church,” Archbishop Wang’ombe had said.
He added that the dedication and launch of official Women Council attire must be conducted by a bishop or senior clergy, underscoring the sanctity attached to the garments.
It is this backdrop that has fuelled outrage over claims that political actors procured AIPCA Women Council headscarves from the open market and printed official insignia on them — a move critics say threatens to tear the church apart.
President Ruto’s hosts at the service included Kiambu Governor Kimani wa Matiang’i, ICT Cabinet Secretary (CS) William Kabogo, Lands CS Alice Wahome, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne wa Muratha, Gatundu North lawmaker Elijah Kururia, and his Thika Town counterpart Alice Ng’ang’a.
Throughout the service, the women were seen cheering loudly for Ms Ng’ang’a, Mr Kururia and Ms Wahome.
When CS Kabogo rose to speak, he publicly rebuked the organisers of the cheering squad. “What we are witnessing here is pure nonsense. This is not how such a function should be conducted. Coming here to jeer and heckle is immature and unnecessary,” he said.
However, when Ms Ng’ang’a addressed the congregation, she introduced herself as a member of the church who believed in fearless political activism. Her remarks were met with wild cheers from the group of women as the President looked on, at times amused and at other moments visibly uneasy.
When President Ruto finally spoke, he tersely remarked: “I can see you people are charged.”
In the aftermath, AIPCA leadership demanded a public apology from Ms Ng’ang’a. Through its National Communications Director Eric Murithi, the church accused her of bearing responsibility for the events.
“As AIPCA, we require a public apology from Hon Alice Ng’ang’a, MP for Thika Town,” Mr Murithi said on Monday.
Despite the apology demand, Mr Murithi defended the church’s broader engagement with political leaders, even as senior clergy openly endorsed President Ruto’s re-election from the pulpit.
“In previous regimes, AIPCA was sidelined. This is our time to reclaim the glory of our church. All leaders are welcome here because we want to build churches, schools, hospitals and other projects,” he said.
Mr Murithi said the President donated Sh10 million towards the completion of an AIPCA cathedral in Igegania, Sh50 million for the construction of the AIPCA Theological College, Sh5 million for the purchase of a Women Council bus and Sh5 million for the council’s Christmas celebrations.
The close relationship between President Ruto and the AIPCA church is not new. Over the years, senior clergy have openly supported his leadership, while the President has reciprocated with appointments and financial support.
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During an AIPCA Holy Oil celebration in Meru County on April 17, 2025, President Ruto said the church stood with him when others hesitated, describing it as “the church of government” and “the hustlers’ church.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua echoed similar sentiments in 2023, saying the church had supported their 2022 presidential bid when others turned them away.
“We were tear-gassed together inside AIPCA. We cried together and nursed our wounds together. Now that we are in government, this church will be at the centre of our appreciation programmes,” Mr Gachagua said.
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