Opposition urges State to heed clergy's warnings to avoid crisis

Opposition leaders have intensified pressure on President William Ruto’s administration to listen to Kenya’s clergy, saying religious leaders are articulating the frustrations, fears, and hopes of ordinary citizens.

The leaders warned that continued disregard for the church’s counsel could plunge the country into deeper political and social turmoil at a time when public anxiety over the cost of living and governance continues to grow.

The opposition said the clergy have become the moral compass for the country, offering direction at a time when political temperatures are rising. They insisted that religious leaders are ordained by God to speak truth to power and should not be dismissed or ridiculed when they raise concerns about national leadership and governance.

Speaking at Wamunyoro Village in Mathira, Nyeri County, the home of former DP Rigathi Gachagua, during the ordination of Dr Dorcas Rigathi, what was officially described as a religious and community celebration quickly turned into a congregation of powerful opposition voices who used the platform to raise serious political questions. They emphasized that, despite the setting, the message was one of national importance: that Kenya’s leadership must give the clergy a listening ear to avert deeper discontent.

The leaders said that throughout the week, Kenya’s clergy had been vocal about the challenges facing the nation—ranging from governance failures and corruption to the economic hardships burdening households. They argued that the church had stepped in where national leadership had fallen silent and that ignoring such warnings would be reckless.

Former DP Rigathi Gachagua, who hosted the gathering, set the tone by clarifying that the event was not political.

“This is a very momentous occasion for Dorcas. I want to thank the leaders who travelled from across the country to join in the celebrations. We shall remember all those who came to join in our celebration. We don’t forget—we thank,” he said.

Despite assuring attendees that the event was apolitical, Gachagua hinted strongly at political realignments within the opposition.

He suggested that the high-profile leaders gathered in Wamunyoro represented a powerful team capable of producing Kenya’s next president.

“With all these leaders in our midst, one must be the president in 2027. We are here in opposition and we shall unite. We are going to have an agreement, and I shall come and tell you who we have decided will be our flag bearer in the 2027 election,” he said.

The former DP said that all those in the opposition are one people—“cousins”—and they have only one mission: to ensure President Ruto’s regime does not get back into office come 2027.

“People of Mt Kenya, is this the team you want to bring the presidency home? Are you promising me you are here with these cousins? It is a season of cousins,” he said.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka praised the clergy for what he described as a commendable and courageous effort to speak truth to power at a time when many citizens felt unheard.

Kalonzo said the church had taken a bold stand by addressing national issues head-on and offering moral guidance rooted in the lived realities of Kenyans.

“The clergy are doing a commendable job. Your consistent calls for justice, integrity, and responsible leadership are answers to the people’s cries.” He insisted that ignoring such voices was not just politically reckless but spiritually dangerous, given the clergy’s divine mandate and deep connection with communities across the country,” he said.

Kalonzo warned that President Ruto’s continued dismissal of the clergy would only strengthen the opposition’s resolve. He said that if the government refused to listen to the church, then the opposition would step in, heed the clergy’s wisdom, and implement the guidance they were offering.

“If the government does not listen, we will. We shall follow what the clergy is telling us—and that is how we shall make this administration a one-term government. We, the opposition, shall align with moral leadership and position the clergy as key drivers of political accountability ahead of the 2027 contest,” he said.

Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i said that the church plays a critical role in nation-building and should not be sidelined.

“There is no way we can move this country forward without involving the church,” he said.

Matiang’i added that President Ruto should view the clergy’s recent pronouncements not as criticism but as divine counsel.

“I want to ask our national leader—the president—please listen to our clergy. Many have spoken loudly. The fate of those who do not listen has perished since they are ordained by God and speaking on behalf of our people. National leaders must listen to them,” he said.

He added that even leaders who are not preachers have a duty to uphold the church’s guidance.

“To those who are not preachers like me and Rigathi, we have a responsibility as leaders to hold what the clergy tell us,” he said.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti echoed the sentiment that Kenya’s leadership needs spiritual guidance, urging national leaders to embrace humility.

"As leaders, we must humble ourselves and listen to the church,” Wavinya said. “The clergy are standing with the people, and any government that refuses to hear them is refusing to hear the cries of Kenyans," she added.

DAP–K leader Eugene Wamalwa said one of the most forceful criticisms of President William Ruto’s leadership style, accusing the Head of State of turning national politics into a platform for insults and intimidation.

Wamalwa argued that the opposition had been subjected to daily verbal attacks from the president, who had branded them “fools,” claimed they lacked an agenda, and labelled them tribalists.

“Such conduct demeaned the dignity of the presidency and sent the wrong signal to the country. The president has been insulting us every day—that we are fools, that we have no agenda, and that we are tribalists. Such words should not come out of the mouth of a person from that high-level office,” he said.

He added that, despite the provocation, the opposition would not retaliate in anger but would instead choose prayer and moral restraint. Wamalwa said leadership required humility and respect, especially for those seeking or occupying the nation’s top seat.

“The president has been going around insulting us; let us all pray for him. To us who are in politics, if you are called to be the president at a higher level, hold that office with honour and dignity,” he said.

DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala spoke about the importance of safeguarding Kenya’s foundational values.

 “We want to urge all leaders, especially us, to embrace family, as it is the basic unit of life. Rigathi’s family stood by him during the hardest time of test,” he said.