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Ruto responds to Gachagua church attack
President William Ruto addresses worshippers during a service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church, Gikomba, Nairobi County on February 2, 2026.
President William Ruto has broken his silence on the recent spate of chaos in churches, where United Opposition leaders have reportedly been targeted on several occasions.
However, the President had no kind words for political leaders who have used the pulpit to advance their own political agendas.
While underscoring the importance of respecting places of worship, President Ruto urged all security forces including the National Police Service to do everything necessary to ensure churches do not become platforms for spreading hate under the guise of politics.
President William Ruto, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan Abdi (right) and Bishop Alfred Nyaoro (left) during a service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church, Gikomba, Nairobi County on February 2, 2026.
“We want our churches to be places of peace, places to seek God. Regardless of who we are or what we believe in, we must respect God’s place in our churches,” President Ruto said.
“All arms of security must ensure that our places of worship are protected from unnecessary, useless, and retrogressive fights and politics. We all have platforms outside the church where we can conduct politics,” the President said.
The Head of State spoke on Sunday during a service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church in Gikomba, Kamukunji Constituency.
President Ruto's remarks come after United Opposition leaders under Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua issued an ultimatum to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to investigate officers who disrupted a service at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri County last Sunday.
According to Mr Gachagua, police officers in Othaya were allegedly captured escorting the armed men who caused mayhem at the church.
But even after the President called on security agencies to act, critics noted that he has also used the pulpit to promote his political agenda, just as his opponents have.
Critics argue that President Ruto’s allies have also used church events to sell their political agenda and even to incite the supporters in the President’s presence.
Last December, a church service in Gatundu North descended into chaos when supporters of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a engaged in a verbal exchange during an event that was attended by President Ruto.
President William Ruto, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan Abdi (right) and Bishop Alfred Nyaoro (left) during a service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church, Gikomba, Nairobi County on February 2, 2026.
Politicians have also used the church to make huge monetary contributions or criticise their opponents, oftentimes overshadowing the services.
With next year’s General Elections drawing closer, some key political figures have shifted their vote-hunting mission to churches.
During the church service, President Ruto was accompanied by several leaders, among them Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Makadara MP George Aladwa, and several Nairobi MCAs.
The President also addressed Nairobi’s worsening waste management crisis calling for a comprehensive long-term plan involving both the national and county governments.
“There will be a consistent, comprehensive, long-term plan on managing waste in Nairobi. I urge residents to partner with both the national and county governments as we clean up the city. Waste management must not continue to impede the development of our city. This will require a whole-of-society effort,” he said.
The President said Nairobi, as the capital city, should be a model for the country’s transformation from a developing to a developed nation. He announced a planned national cleanup exercise beginning in April.
Meanwhile, Governor Wanga used the occasion to reiterate ODM’s commitment to a pre-election coalition with President Ruto’s UDA.
“We have allowed him to negotiate with other parties that share our ideologies, starting with UDA. We want a united country that brings everyone on board. We have agreed to engage in talks that will take the country forward, following the path that Baba Raila Odinga envisioned,” Ms Wanga said.
