Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come forward with claims about how he and his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, were mistreated during his time in office under President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking during a church service held on Sunday, June 15, in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua shared emotional details about the difficult experiences they endured, especially when it came to attending official government functions.
According to Gachagua, senior protocol officers and handlers at State House made it difficult for his wife to accompany him to official events.
He alleged that the president’s team deliberately imposed unfair restrictions on his wife simply because the First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, was not present.
“These people mistreated both me and my wife while I was still in office,” Gachagua told the congregation.
“Their reasoning was that because the President did not want me to be seen in public with my wife when his own wife was absent, I too was expected to attend events without my spouse. They hid behind the excuse of protocol.”
Gachagua claimed that for nearly two years during his time as Deputy President, he was frequently asked to attend events alone, and in many cases, Pastor Dorcas was even told to leave once she had arrived. He described this as humiliating and deeply unfair.
He gave an example of one high-profile event, where the government was officially backing Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission leadership.
During that occasion, Gachagua said the organizers told his wife to leave because Mama Rachel Ruto was not attending the function.
“I refused to allow that to happen,” Gachagua recalled. “I told them to go and inform the President that my wife was not going anywhere.
If Mama Ida Odinga, Raila’s wife, was going to stay, then my wife had every right to stay too. And I said if they insisted on removing her, I would leave the event myself.”
He added that in the end, Pastor Dorcas was permitted to stay and was even given the opportunity to pray for Raila Odinga at the event, which he said was a powerful moment.
Gachagua’s comments were made in direct response to earlier remarks by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi. The lawmaker had publicly questioned Gachagua’s decision to frequently appear in public with his wife, saying it was unnecessary and seemed politically motivated.
But Gachagua firmly defended his actions, saying walking with his wife was a personal decision based on his commitment to family values.
“This is a personal matter,” he said. “I walk with my wife because I choose to, not because of politics. Not everything we do is about politics. Some things are about family and values.”
He insisted that his belief in family is firm and non-negotiable, regardless of public opinion or political pressure.
During the same church event, Gachagua also weighed in on the ongoing political conversations, particularly the push by the Kenya Kwanza government to bring Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka into their fold. Gachagua dismissed these efforts, showing little support for Kalonzo joining the ruling side.
His remarks signal continuing tensions between him and top officials in the Kenya Kwanza government, as he maintains his strong stance on personal principles and leadership values.
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