Sicily Kariuki slams Ichung’wah over insults against Dorcas Gachagua
By Mustafa Juma, July 29, 2025Former Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Sicily Kariuki, has come out strongly against National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, condemning his recent remarks targeting Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, the wife of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking on Monday, July 28, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Kariuki accused Ichung’wah and the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration of reducing political discourse to personal attacks and gender-based mockery, rather than focusing on substantive national issues.
“Political bad manners of a regime that overpromises, knowing very well that the commitments they are making during the campaign period are not going to be fulfilled—that’s what we see,” Kariuki said.
Ethical lines
Referring directly to Ichung’wah’s jibe at Pastor Dorcas, who was mocked for frequently accompanying her husband and speaking before him at events, Kariuki criticised the Majority Leader for crossing ethical lines.
“When you draw a family woman, a preacher of the gospel, and bring her into the kind of bad manners that we heard Kimani Ichung’wah voice, it means you’ve brought down politics from substantive issues to social bad manners—attacking people on account of gender,” she added.
Kariuki, who has long been a vocal advocate for women’s participation and dignity in politics, warned that such behaviour sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the gains made in promoting gender equality in leadership.
Poghisio slams Ichung’wah
Former Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio, who was part of the interview, also launched a scathing attack on Ichung’wah.
Poghisio accused the Kikuyu MP of political cowardice and personal misconduct for publicly targeting Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, wife of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Poghisio condemned Ichung’wah’s recent remarks, in which the MP mocked Pastor Dorcas for frequently accompanying her husband to public events and sometimes speaking before him.
Backlash
The comments have sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing Ichung’wah of dragging personal and family matters into political feuds.
“The worst case of political cowardice is more personified by Kimani Ichung’wah, who is the Majority Leader of our National Assembly,” Poghisio stated.
“If I were in charge of appointments for the Majority Leader, I would have withdrawn that name by now and appointed another leader. I would have completely disassociated myself from a majority leader of that calibre who would go after somebody’s wife and try to embarrass that lady.”
The incident has also reignited debates on the ethics of political discourse, particularly the need to respect family members who may support or accompany leaders in their public roles.
Amisi condemns Ichung’wah
Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi is among the leaders who have come out strongly to denounce the recent remarks made by Ichung’wah targeting Pastor Dorcas.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Amisi expressed disappointment over Ichung’wah’s approach, terming it a deviation from the principles that guide political engagement.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining boundaries in political discourse, particularly in regard to family members of political opponents.