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Dorcas Rigathi challenges church leaders to speak up on issues affecting Kenyans
12th August, 2026 05:58 PM
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s wife, pastor Dorcas Rigathi, has challenged church leaders to speak up on issues affecting ordinary Kenyans, saying religious leaders are also part of society and should not remain silent on challenges facing the country.
Speaking in Kipeto, Kajiado County, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) grassroots mobilisation programme, Dorcas said Christians, Muslims and Hindus all depend on the same basic services and infrastructure, including roads and water, and therefore religious leaders should be willing to address issues affecting their communities.
She questioned why church leaders should shy away from matters of public concern simply because they involve politics, arguing that the welfare of Kenyans cannot be separated from the issues being discussed in the political space.
“Sisi tunasema lazima mambo yabalilishwe ndio watu waweze kupata maji, watu wengi wanasemanga siasa haifanywangi na watu wa kanisa,lakini ningeulizia tu mambo matatu,”Dorcas said.
She posed a series of questions to illustrate her argument, asking whether Christians, Muslims or Hindus live in a different world from the rest of society.
“Je, Mkristo, mwisilamu ama mhindu anaenda mbinguni analala huko na anarudi hapa duniani asubuhi?” she asked.
Dorcas further questioned how religious leaders and their congregants travel when roads are in poor condition, asking why a reverend or bishop should not speak up when roads need to be constructed or improved.
She also used access to water to demonstrate the connection between faith and everyday life, noting that even Christians and their livestock depend on resources available on earth.
“Anatembea kwa barabara? Kama barabara haziko je kwanini reverand au bishop asiseme barabara zijengwe? Kama ni mkristo na ako na mifugo yake, mifugo yake, maji yake, hutoka wapi? Si ni kwa hii dunia?” she added.
Dorcas on 2027 elections
The remarks came as she called on Kenyans to think critically about the leaders they elect and to consider their record and concern for ordinary citizens when making political choices.
Dorcas urged Kenyans to “stand firm” and elect leaders who have compassion for them and are committed to addressing challenges affecting their communities.
She further urged voters to choose leaders who genuinely care about their welfare rather than simply supporting candidates based on political affiliations.
“Kwa hivyo nilazima tujifikirie na tusimame wima na tukienda kufanya mambo ya uchaguzi mchaguwe watu ambao wako na huruma na nyinyi, mchague viongozi ambao wanawajali,” she urged.
Her comments come amid continued debate over the role of religious leaders in Kenya’s public affairs, particularly on questions surrounding governance, development and the welfare of citizens.
