‘Don’t leave Italy before Pope prays for you,’ Gachagua slams Ruto, accuses him of lying

Speaking at a rally in Kitui County on  Wednesday, the leaders, led by the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, urged residents of the Ukambani region to vote out President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua, in a scathing attack on the President, who is currently in Italy, accused him of dishonesty and urged him to seek prayers from Pope Leo.

“Ruto, please, do not leave Italy before visiting the Pope so that he prays for you to stop or even reduce your lying,” said Gachagua.

He further accused the President of using police officers and hired gangs to suppress dissent.

“Ask the Pope to pray for you so that you stop sending police and goons to attack people in church, and issuing orders for protesters to be shot in the leg. But do you really think prayers can change him?” Gachagua asked the crowd, who responded, “hapana.”

Kalonzo, on his part, described the next election as a defining moment for the country, saying Kenyans must unite to remove the current administration.

“Uchaguzi unaokuja si wa kawaida, ni wa kukomboa Kenya. Mko tayari kukomboa nchi yenu kwa kupiga kura? All Kenyans have decided to unite from all sides of the region,” said Kalonzo.

Gachagua also dismissed President Ruto’s recent remarks to Kenyans living in Italy, where he reportedly urged them not to believe information circulating online.

“Naona (Ruto) ako kule Italy akiambia Wakenya wa Italy ati wasisome mitandao ati hayo maneno ni ya uongo. Hayo ya mtandao bado, maneno yako hapa…pigeni kura kwanza na mmwambie yeye ni muongo,” he said.

The opposition leaders also criticised the government over the recent arrest and prosecution of demonstrators who participated in protests against increased fuel prices, terming the move an attempt to intimidate Kenyans from speaking out.

They maintained that the rising cost of living continues to burden many households and accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to address the economic challenges facing ordinary citizens.

The president is currently on a 3-day State visit to Italy to hold bilateral talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

On Tuesday, President Ruto cautioned Kenyans abroad against relying on social media entirely for news from home due to rampant misinformation, fake news, and manipulated content.

The President said it was necessary for Kenyans living abroad to verify information, saying there was a lot of deliberate misinformation aimed at achieving political and selfish ends. 

Addressing Kenyans living in Rome, Italy, on Monday evening, he expressed concern over intentional efforts to distort information for political reasons.