Pastor Dorcas responds to claims she dominates Gachagua
By William Muthama, July 23, 2025Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has strongly refuted claims that she dominates her husband, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following recent remarks made by Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
Speaking while addressing Kenyan clergy during a tour in the United States on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Pastor Dorcas dismissed the notion that her presence and speeches during public appearances were signs of control over her spouse.
She described the accusations as misleading and disrespectful to their marriage and the values they promote.
“That is why sometimes when he allows me to speak first, it is not because I ‘sit on him’. How can you sit on a man like this, who is causing the whole nation not to sleep?” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Unity and purpose
Pastor Dorcas explained that she and Gachagua operate as a team with shared values, which is why they often appear together and promote family-oriented messaging.
“We are one unit. There’s nothing wrong with that. We move together and stand for the same ideals – prayer, family, and service,” she added.
She also accused critics of intentionally misrepresenting their relationship for political mileage. Without naming Ichung’wah directly, she dismissed his statements as malicious and driven by dishonesty.
“I keep hearing them say Wamunyoro. Is that the kind of man you think your claims could apply to? You are such liars,” she remarked, referencing Gachagua’s popular nickname.
Backlash over remarks
Pastor Dorcas’s response comes days after Kimani Ichung’wah appeared to suggest that Gachagua was under the influence of his wife. The MP’s remarks drew immediate backlash, especially from women leaders allied to the former Deputy President.
During a press conference on Saturday, members of the DCP Women’s League condemned Ichung’wah and called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe him for what they termed “targeted attacks on women.”
Njeri Kahiga, one of Gachagua’s key female allies, described the comments as “reckless and dishonourable”, adding that Pastor Dorcas was a respected public figure known for championing mental health, the welfare of widows and orphans, and the empowerment of the boychild.
As of Monday, Ichung’wah had not apologised, even as calls mount for him to retract his statement.