Ruto responds to Gachagua for branding Akorino traitors
By Mustafa Juma, April 12, 2026President William Ruto has hit back at Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua following his controversial remarks branding members of the Akorino sect as “traitors” for visiting State House.
Speaking on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during a meeting with members of the Akorino community at State House, Ruto strongly defended his decision to host the group, dismissing criticism and insisting that State House belongs to all Kenyans regardless of their background.
In an apparent response to Gachagua’s claims, Ruto emphasised unity and inclusivity, stating that his administration does not discriminate along tribal or religious lines.
“Hii jamii ya Akorino, nilianza na nyinyi. Mlikuja kunitafuta na mimi nikawatafuta. Tumetembea safari moja. Katika safari yetu, hatujaulizana wewe ni wa kabila gani, na wewe ni wa kutoka jamii gani. Tumeungana hapa kwasababu ndio mapenzi ya Mungu tufanye kazi pamoja. Na hivyo ndivyo itakavyokuwa.
“Wale watu wanaota yakwamba watatugawanya, wacha niwapatie habari mapema, hawatafaulu na watapotea. Na wawache kiburi mingi, madharau na matusi. Hii State House ni ya wakenya wote. Ni ya wale walio wengi na wale walio wachache. Unajua kuna watu wamehangaika sana na vile nimealika watu wakuje State House,” Ruto said.
State House dignity
He dismissed critics who accused him of lowering the dignity of the State House by inviting ordinary citizens, arguing instead that he was “elevating wananchi” by bringing them closer to the presidency.
“Mwingine alikuja hapa akasema wewe rais uneshusha hadhi ya State House lakini nimewaeleza sio ati nimeshukisha State House kukuja chini, nimeunua wananchi wakakuja juu ndio wafike hapa State House. Na watakuja kuzoea, wacha wapige kelele kidogo. Watazoea kwamba hii State House ni ya wakenya wote,” he said.
The President took direct aim at those questioning his engagements, asserting his authority over who gets invited to the State House.
“Watazoea kwamba hii State House ni ya wakenya wote. Hii ni nyumba ya taifa letu la Kenya na kila Mkenya akipata nafasi atembee hapa asiulizwe maswali na mtu yeyote. Na kwanza wewe ambaye unauliza maswali kuhusu State House, mimi ndio rais mwenye kutoa amri ni nani anakuja hapa na mwenye hakuji. Wewe unaongea kama nani?” the Head of State posed.
Ruto also dismissed criticisms surrounding hospitality at State House events, ridiculing those raising concerns about food and arrangements.
“Mpaka unaulizana mambo ya chakula. Sasa wewe, chakula sio yako, mwenye kupika sio bibi yako, mwenye kualikana sio wewe, mahali watu wameketi sio kwako, unauliza kama nani? Mimi ndio kusema hapa. Kwa hivo nyinyi karibuni sana State House na wakiendelea kuongea nitawakaribisha tena ndio nione kile watafanya. Na mambo ya chakula, hata hamkupata chakula ya kutosha. Ningechinja,” Ruto said.
Gachagua’s outburst
Gachagua on Sunday, April 12, 2026, launched a blistering attack on members of the Akorino sect following their visit to State House, accusing them of betraying their community.
In a statement shared via his official Facebook account on Sunday, April 12, 2026, which was accompanied by a video address in the Kikuyu dialect, Gachagua claimed that the religious group had been invited to State House to “sanitise” President William Ruto amid claims of profiling and persecution of sections of the Mt Kenya community.
Gachagua accused the president of escalating tensions by reportedly targeting cultural institutions and elders.
“William Ruto, you have now crossed the red line. Destroying our cultural shrine and sending police to beat and humiliate our elders is declaring war on our community,” he said.
“You have this morning summoned members of the Akorino sect to State House to pray for you and sanitise you for profiling and persecuting our community.”
Turning his focus to the Akorino sect, Gachagua criticised those who attended the State House meeting, urging them not to claim to represent the wider community.
“For the Akorino going to State House, please speak for your stomachs, not us. You join the long list of traitors who have turned against their own to fill their stomachs,” he said, in remarks that have since sparked widespread debate.
He went further to label them “traitors”, accusing them of prioritising personal gain over community interests.