AIPCA ‘bars’ Wamuchomba from speaking at its churches

By Newsflash Writer

The African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kiambu County has barred Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba from addressing congregants at any of its churches, accusing her of using the pulpit to attack fellow politicians.

According to church officials, the move follows an incident at Ngochi area in Githunguri last weekend, where the MP allegedly insulted MCA aspirant Edwin Kinyanjui, popularly known as Edu MCA, during a burial ceremony.

AIPCA Kiambu Diocese Bishop Peterson Njenga said the legislator’s remarks were disrespectful and disrupted the solemn occasion.

“I cautioned and issued instructions that the MP for this area should never be given a platform to speak at the AIPCA church for her tendency to insult people. She insulted people at Ngochi area. She disrupted my solemn ceremony after insulting people,” said the Bishop.

He further directed all pastors in the diocese not to grant Wamuchomba any opportunity to speak from church platforms. “If she is given the church’s platform to hurl insults at people again, the presiding pastor and chairman of that particular church will be reprimanded. We don’t want insults in church. We want people who will come and help us to build,” he said.

Wamuchomba fires back

In her response on Wednesday, November 12, Wamuchomba dismissed the church’s move, terming it a politically instigated attack meant to undermine her development record in Githunguri.

She claimed that seven unnamed MPs from Kiambu County—whom she described as her political competitors—were behind the incident. “They are trying everything possible to stop the one-term revolution in my constituency,” she said.

“They tried many things to stop me, like intimidations, diverted our development projects money like money for TTI, Ruiru Dam 2, refused to complete stalled roads and markets, chased me out of House committees—all this failed. Now they are using clergy to attack me with untrue allegations. Watu wamekataa,” said the legislator.

Wamuchomba further alleged that her rivals were holding early-morning meetings to bribe her voters. “Today early morning meetings were held by seven Kiambu MPs to bribe my voters with 2K each. This is happening weekly! Those who attended last week’s 7 a.m. meeting at Riagithu Coffee Factory and today’s 7 a.m. meeting at Marige College Hall alleged that the money was carried in ngunia bags. They are using chiefs and wazee wa mtaa to mobilize at night,” she claimed.

She added that despite the attacks, her supporters remained firm. “The people have made up their mind. You can’t kill us and bribe us. You can’t lie to us and bribe us. You can’t demolish our houses and bribe us. You can’t finish our businesses and bribe us. You can’t fire us from strategic positions and bribe us. You can’t grab our land and bribe us. We left Misri—huko haturudi. It’s one term,” she said defiantly.

Trail of political clashes

This latest controversy adds to a string of political storms surrounding the Githunguri MP. Recently, Wamuchomba was forced to defend herself against allegations that she was acting as a State informer within the United Opposition movement. The claims were made by National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, sparking a heated exchange between the two politicians.

Wamuchomba has also courted controversy over her statements regarding the invasion of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Northlands farm in Ruiru, Kiambu County, in March 2023. She claimed that the attack was orchestrated by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a man she once described as her political mentor and close ally before their public fallout.

Her relationship with Gachagua, once strong, began to sour after she started criticizing the former DP’s leadership style and political influence in the Mount Kenya region. Since then, Wamuchomba has increasingly aligned herself with Jubilee Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Fred Matiang’i and Kenya Moja political outfit.

Despite the latest church ban, political observers believe Wamuchomba will continue to assert her influence in Kiambu politics. Known for her fiery speeches and bold political stances, she has often described herself as a reformer unafraid to challenge both allies and opponents