Rigathi Gachagua: Church is the voice of Kenyans, MPs have been silenced
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out to defend the church following backlash from the government, saying it is safeguarding the public interest.
Mr Gachagua has encouraged the church to keep flagging areas that are not working in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He said that the church is the only remaining sector that can speak for Kenyans amid rising criticism of President William Ruto’s government.
He has called for the constitution of IEBC, saying the delay raises eyebrows.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Wiki, Mr Gachagua, said that Parliament has been silenced by the Executive.
“The voice of the church is the voice of God. If the church says that there is a problem, they are the ones who interact with Kenyans. They know their issues before it comes to the attention of leaders,” Mr Gachagua said.
He encouraged the church to continue fighting for Kenyans despite being criticised by the government.
“Stop attacking church leaders. Let us respect them and listen to what they are saying. MPs and senators have been silenced. If the church doesn't speak, then we are done.”
Mr Gachagua asked President Ruto to address issues that the church recently highlighted, including the new Social Health Authority and the affordable housing project.
On the delay in constituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Gachagua said that further delays might plunge the country into chaos.
He noted that the aspiration of the Kriegler Commission was that the electoral body should be in place a few years before the general election.
“Kriegler report said that an election must be in place three years before an election, and we're about two years to election without the IEBC in place.”
Mr Gachagua said that the Kenya Kwanza government was deliberately slowing the process of IEBC.
“People can read mischief as to why IEBC is not in place. And we are calling for the constitution of IEBC urgently so that the process can be credible as the expected outcome.”
He was accompanied by several MPs including Nyandarua Senator John Muhia Methu, and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya among others.
