Gachagua on the Spot After His Remarks Over Mama Ida Odinga Heckling in Meru

The heckling of Mama Ida Odinga the wife of former prime minister Raila Odinga in Meru on Sunday has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans.

Leaders and ordinary Kenyans have weighed in on the matter by giving their perspectives.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has found himself on the receiving end of numerous criticism after he appeared to say what did not happen.

In a video shared by Kenyans on social media, the MP is heard making a wide range of allegations over the heckling incident.

"Na ndio uliona ule bibi ya Kiendawili juzi, alisema bwana yake akichukua urais atafunga makanisa ile ndogo ndogo. Jana alienda Meru, wakristo wa catholic walisema hutaongea hapa wewe ulisema utafunga makanisa ukiwa na bwana yako. Kwa hivyo huezi tisha sisi utafunga makanisa alafu uonge hapa," Gachagua said.

Loosely translates to: "Raila's wife said that if Raila wins the presidency, he will shut all small churches. Yesterday (Sunday) she went to Meru and the Catholic faithful said she won't talk because she said she will close the churches together with her husband. They told her that she won't threaten them that she will close churches and then speak at their church function".

Nairobi Leo Fact Check desk was able to establish that the remarks above are not the true account of what happened.

Ida never said she will close churches if Raila wins and the reason why she was booed was not because of her remarks on churches.

Nation reported that Ida was booed because the organizers of the event said she was the only one who was to speak despite the presence of other leaders.

Gachagua went on to make other allegations that a group of politicians, seemingly from the Azimio side, are threatening the church and opposing donations.

He claimed that the ODM leader through his allied MP brought a motion in parliament seeking to ban harambees in churches

"Kwa hivyo wakristu mjue, the church of christ for once has a candidate ambaye ni mcha mungu na amabaye anheshimu mungu. Wale wengine wanatisha Kanisa, wanasema ni makosa kutoa matoleo kanisani. Alileta msaada kupitia mtu yake anaitwa John Mbadi kwa bunge, ati harambee ya kanisa ipigwe marufuku tukakataaa."

Loosely translates to: "For that reason, Christians in Kenya must know that they have a candidate who fears God and is faithful to Him. Others are threatening the church saying that it is a crime to give offerings to churches. He brought a bill to parliament through his ally John Mbadi that church harambees should be banned and we said no."

Nairobi Leo also debunked the remarks and was able to discover that some statements were not true.

For instance, there is no political leader in the country who has publicly threatened the church over donations.

Many have raised concerns over the source of donations being given by some political leaders but no one has ever said people should not donate.

Also, Mbadi has never brought a bill in the National Assembly seeking to ban Church Harambees.

Gachagua's remarks have elected mixed reactions among Kenyans.

Here are some of the reactions:

Lord Abraham Mutai

This is pure incitement. This is courting civil war in Kenya but is now based on religion. This is hate speech. This is unacceptable. These are people who want to control your government fearmongering and inciting Christians against other Kenyans.

Karen Wanjiku

DP Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua have realised that Raila Odinga has the superior policies and thus their new game plan is to preach hate, heckling, booing, violence etc.

The Raila Odinga of today is a much more experienced and composed statesman mta tafuta vita sana lakini wapi!!!

Dennis Nyambane

Rigathi Gachagua spreading RailaPhobia to Mt.Kenya people. Mama Ida Odinga was heckled by goons who accompanied Mithika Linturi. Even if the DO brands Baba as a bad person, the Silent Majority Kikuyus made their minds a long time ago and will vote for Baba overwhelmingly