Kenya, July 21 -- In a shocking escalation of political tensions, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah ignited controversy on July 20, 2025, by alleging that Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, wife of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is involved in an extramarital affair with an unnamed bishop.
Speaking at a public function, Ichung'wah mocked Gachagua's leadership, stating, "Gachagua's wife, Pastor Dorcas, has another man, a bishop, elsewhere. Let him go and say one term to his wife," prompting murmurs from the crowd.
The Dorcas Rigathi bishop affair claim has sparked heated reactions, with many questioning the motives behind the personal attack amid ongoing political feuds.
The explosive allegation by Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has thrust Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, wife of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, into the centre of a political storm.
On July 20, 2025, during a public event, Ichung'wah launched a scathing attack, claiming that Dorcas, a respected pastor at House of Grace in Nairobi, is engaged in a secret affair with a bishop, though he provided no name or evidence.
The remarks were part of a broader critique of Gachagua's leadership, with Ichung'wah calling him a "weak man" who has "lost control of his household".
The Dorcas Rigathi bishop affair claim has fuelled intense debate, with netizens reflecting polarised sentiments, labelling it a "fresh political attack", while others condemn Ichung'wah for insulting bishops nationwide.
Pastor Dorcas, born in 1965 in Murang'a County, has long been a public figure known for her resilience and advocacy. A former banker and Kenyatta University graduate, she rose from humble beginnings in Thika's Kiandutu slums to become Kenya's Second Lady from 2022 until Gachagua's impeachment in October 2024.
Her work with the Dorcas Rigathi Foundation, focusing on empowering widows, orphans, and the boychild, has earned her an honorary doctorate in divinity in 2021, as noted by The Standard.
However, Ichung'wah's allegations, coupled with earlier claims of financial misconduct involving her and Gachagua's company, Wamunyoro Investments, have cast a shadow over her public image.
A 2022 Kenyan Post report alleged the couple looted KSh 12 billion from Nyeri County, a claim Gachagua has repeatedly denied.
The Dorcas Rigathi controversy comes amid a bitter rivalry between Ichung'wah and Gachagua, who was impeached on five of 11 charges, including corruption and ethnic discrimination, as detailed in a Wikipedia entry.
Ichung'wah, a close ally of President William Ruto, has accused Gachagua of undermining the government, particularly after the former deputy president claimed on July 9, 2025, that Ichung'wah orchestrated attacks on police stations during the Saba Saba protests to frame political rivals.
Ichung'wah dismissed these as "ridiculous" and accused Gachagua of harbouring "deep-seated bitterness" that threatens national stability. The personal attack on Dorcas appears to be a new low in their feud, with people arguing that targeting her is a sign that Ichung'wah and his allies have "run out of ideas" to counter Gachagua.
Social media reactions highlight the divisive nature of the claim. While some criticised Ichung'wah's bitterness, others, such as those who downplayed the allegation, stated, "So what?" and countered with unverified claims about First Lady Rachel Ruto.
The lack of evidence for the Dorcas Rigathi bishop affair has led to accusations of political mudslinging, with The Standard previously describing the Gachagua-Ichung'wah rivalry as a "charade" to distract from national issues like economic woes and protest-related deaths.
Dorcas, who has stood by Gachagua through his political trials, including his 2024 hospitalisation for chest pains, has not publicly responded to the allegation, but her history of resilience suggests she may address it through her faith-based platform.
Dorcas's journey, from a jigger-infested childhood to a prominent pastor and advocate, has been well documented. Nairobi News reported her emotional return to Alliance Girls High School in 2023, where she shared her struggles with poverty and her rise to prominence alongside Gachagua, whom she met in 1987 at a university event.
Her advocacy for vulnerable populations, detailed on the Office of the Deputy President website, includes initiatives to combat drug abuse and support widows, earning her widespread respect.
The Kimani Ichung'wah Gachagua feud, now spilling into personal attacks, reflects deeper tensions within Kenya's political landscape. With Ruto facing public discontent over protest deaths and economic policies, as reported by the BBC, Ichung'wah's remarks may be a strategic move to discredit Gachagua's influence in the Mt. Kenya region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.