Wamuchomba defends make-up-wearing congregation during Ruto’s Kiambu visit
By Lutta Njomo, December 20, 2025Githunguri member of parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has come out to defend the congregation pictured wearing trousers and make-up at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Gatundu during President Ruto’s church visit on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The women sparked online debate, as the AIPCA members of the Women’s Council are not allowed to wear trousers to church or wear make-up and nose rings.
In a statement on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Wamuchomba defended the group, insisting that they do not deserve to be condemned. According to the vocal lawmaker, most of them turned up in church after they were promised monetary rewards, which they needed the most.
“Let’s be realists. The church is meant to receive such and convert them. As a politician, I can attest that some were motivated by the token promised by the politicians and not what they are meant to receive spiritually,” Wamuchomba’s lengthy statement read in part.
“Even Jesus attracted some 5,000 people by giving Bread. Some of them were pushed there by the extreme need for cash ~ because they badly needed it,” she added.
Bishop should have baptised them
Wamuchomba further claimed that the presiding bishop could have baptised them and even offered to give them some of the money contributed during the church service.
“In fact, in an ideal situation, the church should share with them the moneys contributed by the visitors (since they looked very needy). Other than the shouting and heckling that was seen to be politically motivated, the politicians should attract such people to church not to cheer them but to get the real feel of a true worship.”
“The presiding Bishop failed. He should have invited them for baptism and bless the headgear for them as a way of accommodating them into the church in the future,” Wamuchomba opined.
Church statement
Wamuchomba’s remarks came after AIPCA clarified that the women were ferried by politicians to the event in buses on Sunday morning.
Further, the church said the women were given the women’s council blue headscarf by politicians, not the church.
“If you look keenly at the photos, you will notice that they are new. It is alleged that someone went to purchase the headscarves and gave them to non-members of the AIPCEA.”
Politics plays out
Succession politics dominated the speeches, with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a openly clashing in front of Ruto.
It all began when the host, Gatundu North MP Elijah Kihururia, introduced Governor Kimani Wamatangi as the outgoing governor, utterances that made Wamatangi’s supporters begin heckling as his opponents cheered.
As Governor Wamatangi took to the podium, the crowd erupted into mixed reactions, with his supporters applauding loudly while rivals jeered. In his address, the governor rebuked MP Kihururia, confidently declaring he would secure a second term.
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo then apologised to Ruto over the ugly exchanges witnessed during the church service.