Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using government machinery to sabotage his recent political tour in Meru County.

Speaking during a church service in Rwarera on Sunday, June 22, Gachagua claimed that Ruto enlisted Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to bankroll efforts aimed at disrupting his rallies. He alleged that Kindiki funneled KSh3 million through local Members of Parliament to hire youths and create chaos in key parts of Meru, including Imenti and Igembe.

“Kindiki gave MPs Ksh.3 million to pay youths to chase us away and be hostile to us in Imenti,” Gachagua told the congregation. “He also paid them to light a bonfire in Tuskys, but instead, the youth began chanting ‘one-term’.”

The former DP further alleged that the MP for Tigania East went as far as supplying youths with machetes and arrows in a bid to violently disrupt their events.

“They want us not to be allowed to step in Igembe; local legislators have been paid millions. The Tigania Eeast MP even bought youth machetes and arrows to disrupt our rallies.”

Despite the alleged attempts to block his tour, Gachagua insisted the mission was unsuccessful. He said residents across Meru welcomed him and his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) team warmly.

“When we arrive in those places, those sponsored youths are even chanting ‘one-term’ and have no business in attacking us,” he said.

“They are welcoming us with songs everywhere we go in Meru.”

Gachagua claimed the reception is proof that Ruto has lost his grip on the Mt. Kenya region, once considered a crucial political base.

“Ruto is angry because he knows he has lost the Mountain.,” he said. “Don’t blame me, I told you ages ago that the Mountain people do not like betrayal and lies, and that is what you did to them. They cannot support you anymore.”

He urged the President to stop including the region in his 2027 re-election strategy.

“Forget this Mountain, it is gone forever. You lost them and should not include them in your 2027 game plan. I gave you good advice, but you ignored me,” Gachagua said.

The former DP also accused Ruto of trying to block his access to the church. He claimed several bishops from the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AICPA) were recently summoned to State House and threatened against hosting him.

“Some bishops of AICPA were called to the State House recently and Ruto threatened them against inviting me to church,” Gachagua alleged. “He has become a dictator and wants to dictate who should go to which church, and now the archbishops are scared of inviting me.”

Gachagua further warned that trying to control places of worship marks a dangerous shift.

“Ruto has become so desperate that he wants to control the church. It is the highest form of dictatorship,” he said.