Published on March 16, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
It was double trouble for opposition leaders and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who were denied an opportunity to address congregants and crowd at the Anglican Church of Kenya St Stephens Cathedral in Nairobi on March 16th, 2025.
Gachagua and the opposition leaders including former Vice President and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) were not allowed to address the church congregants and members of the public.
Trouble started with Anglican Arch Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit announcing that the church will not allow politicians on the pulpit to talk but allowed them to address outside the church during the consecration and enthronement of the Third Bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Nairobi Diocese, Rt Rev Jonathan Kabiru Kariuki ACK St Stephen’s Cathedral, Jogoo Road, Nairobi on March 16, 2025
However, as Gachagua, Kalonzo and Wamalwa went outside after the church service, hell broke loose after their attempts to address members of the public were thwarted by supporters of Makadara Member of Parliament (MP) George Aladwa who shouted down the trio and denied them a chance of talking.
On sensing danger, they left in a huff without addressing them as chants of Ruto Ruto Ruto rent the air.
In what seemed to have been the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) partnership, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was greeted with cheers even though he did not address them compared to Gachagua and Kalonzo who were jeered.
Aladwa who is the Nairobi Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairman a strong supporter of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said they didn’t allow Gachagua to address them because he would have preached divisive politics of tribalism which could have divided them and yet the area was cosmopolitan accommodating people from all walks of life.
He said as Makadara constituency residents they didn’t want President William Ruto’s message of unity and inclusivity that he made during his recent tour in the area to be watered down by incitement.
“We have a broad-based government that is uniting all Kenyans, those tribal leaders, those people of shares, those trappers, those conmanship people, those people who failed to do their work, those guys who are incompetent and driven by ethnicity, they have no space in our country and Kenya is a place where all people are equal and we have to walk together,” said Aladwa.
Aladwa defended Rutos decision to work with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga terming the move as a turning point for Kenya’s unity.
He described the partnership as an act of patriotism, formed after the Gen Z protests of last year, to foster stability and development.
“There are those who want to bring ethnic and tribal politics, but their time is up, this broad-based government ensures we focus on uniting the nation and addressing the needs of all Kenyans,” said Aladwa.
