Gachagua back in Mt Kenya as church attack sparks storm

Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua address residents at Gitugi market in Muranga county, on February 1, 2026. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

The United Opposition brigade, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, headed to Murang’a, urging Kenyans to rally behind the Wantam movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders, including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, castigated the government for curtailing freedom of worship and harassing Opposition members.

At Gitugi Market in Mathioya, police maintained a heavy presence to provide security for Gachagua and other leaders at St Marks Gitugi ACK Church. This was in stark contrast to last week’s incident at Witima ACK Church, Othaya, where police fired shots as chaos erupted.

Gachagua accused President Ruto of attempting to divide votes in the Mt Kenya region, a tactic he said had been used in the 1997, 2002, and 2007 elections.

“If the formula favours Mt Kenya, we will back any leader from the United Opposition. We are now working on voter registration,” Gachagua said.

He warned Ruto against branding him a tribalist in efforts to undermine Kenyan unity.

“Murang’a MP Betty Maina has been funded to create chaos among leaders and incite violence in churches. She has also been provided with police protection,” Gachagua alleged.

Other leaders present included Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), JB Muturi (DP), and Eugene Wamalwa (Ford Kenya), who urged the Mt Kenya community to remain united ahead of the next General Election.

Kalonzo said the United Opposition would work to restore order in the country and ensure that secondary and university education becomes free.

He described the upcoming election as a youth-inspired “revolution election” and called on Kenyans not to be intimidated by state agents.

“The international community is focused on Kenya due to the grievances raised by its citizens,” Kalonzo said, adding that billions of shillings stolen from government coffers would be recovered.

Matiang’i condemned the police attack on the church, saying they are not permitted to destroy the pulpit.

He added that the Opposition would declare a presidential candidate who garners more than 70 per cent of votes.

“The government should stop playing with the country and listen to the people,” said the Jubilee party leader.

He lamented that police were escorting goons who were sabotaging Opposition meetings

Matiang’i also disclosed that more than Sh7 billion has been allocated to State House, while hospitals lack drugs and children remain out of school due to inadequate capitation.

“Kenyans should trust Opposition leaders who will fix the country and restore programmes such as Eduafya, Linda Mama, and others,” he said.

Karua emphasised the need for national unity amid myriad challenges.

She said Kenyans would not allow President Ruto to continue undermining the Constitution and urged citizens to remain united.

The Opposition, she added, was compiling evidence against the government for injustices committed against Kenyans.

The State has turned the security officers into youth wingers and poll agents,” said Karua.

Wamalwa said the United Opposition is in agreement to front one of them to take over from Ruto.

“Ruto should be aware that Wamalwa is not interested in joining the government, as there is a network initiated to hunt the Opposition leaders to Ruto’s side,” said Wamalwa.

He castigated the Speaker, Moses Wetangula, for attacking the opposition for voicing concerns on the bundled election.

“Concerns raised by the opposition that Jose Gregorio Camargo was spotted in State House should be addressed immediately, and the chaos left behind by the late Wafula Chebukati in the IEBC should be corrected,” said Wamalwa.

DP Party leader J.B. Muturi disclosed that the supplier of the electoral materials from Zimbabwe has been holding meetings with the state officers in State House after the chaos seen in Namibia and South Africa.

“We have been monitoring the movement of two individuals from Venezuela and Zimbabwe, but Kenyans are ready to cast their votes against Ruto,” said Muturi.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua regretted the last Sunday incident that was fuelled by the Kenya Kwanza Government on Kenya’s children.

“President Ruto is yet to speak on the shameful incident after the church was defiled through the chaos that rocked Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri,” said Wambua.