Murky waters as politicians’ couples are caught up in unlikely messy fights

Spouses of politicians are no longer safe in the murky waters of politics if the new trend is anything to go by where they are no longer off-limits as politicians throw sparks of words.

From former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Kikuyu Member of Parliament and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, politicians have been unleashing verbal attacks targeting their rivals’ spouses.

In the early 2027 campaign trail, what was previously considered a no go zone has exposed spouses of political nemesis to collateral damage in the untidy political discourse and is headed to the south belt.

In the ongoing twist of irony, while in the U.S, Gachagua accused Nakuru governor Susan Kihika’s husband, Sam Mburu, of giving orders to police.

Mburu is said to have unfettered access to the high and mighty in the ruling administration including claims of close business ties to some of the political honchos.

Speaking in Boston after his supporters were teargassed by the police in Subukia, Nakuru county, the Democracy for Citizens’ Party leader claimed that the police officers had shared to him of receiving orders from Mburu.

“I have talked to the police in Nakuru, and they are crying. They are saying that the husband of governor Susan Kihika, called Sam Mburu, is the one who is giving instructions to the police,” Gachagua claimed.

“The police went there, and they were so shaken, yet they knew it was illegal to stop the meeting. They told Senator Methu that since they were at work, they would pretend to throw a few tear gas canisters in different directions because they also agreed with us,” Gachagua claimed.

“The police told them, we are also suffering. This man is not anyone in Kenya; he is not a government official, but the fact that he does business with William Ruto, he is loading over everybody in Nakuru, and threatening us that he is the President of Nakuru. So, President William Ruto, why don’t you do business with Sam Mburu and leave it at that” Gachagua added.

With the alleged disruptions, the former DP called his Nakuru supporters not to vote for Governor Kihika for a second term.

Responding to the attack on his husband, governor Kihika fired back at Gachagua accusing him of being an extortionist.

“What does Gachagua want from my husband? He is not elected. He is just a normal civilian. How can he give directions to the police? Gachagua, you are an extortionist. Avoid me at all costs,” Kihika warned.

Gachagua’s remarks came after his supporters, led by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and DCP deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala, were blocked by the police from going to Subukia and later teargassed.

In the other incident, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah attacked Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, questioning her frequent public appearances at meetings of the former DP, mocking his popular slogan “Wamunyoro” and suggesting he was prioritizing politics over his marriage.

Ichung’wah claimed that Gachagua was preoccupied with politicking at the expense of his union with Pastor Dorcas,

His comments triggered public outrage and backlash on social media as he was called out and told to apologize to the former second lady.

The former second lady, who is in the U.S with her husband, responded to Ichung’wah hours later.

Speaking while in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, today, where they had been hosted by the diaspora clergy, Dorcas defended her role as a supportive wife and emphasized the importance of strong family values.

“And as he supports me, I also support him, together with my children. There is nothing wrong with a husband being with his wife. That is the divine law,” the pastor stated.

Dorcas quoted scripture and reiterated that marriage was a sacred union ordained by God.

“And I don’t know what anybody has a problem with, a husband moving with his wife. For Jehovah, God says, they shall become one flesh. And they will be with each other, and they will be naked, and they will not feel ashamed,” she stated.

“So what is the problem with my husband and me? There is nothing wrong with my husband being with me, and me being with my husband. That is the divine law. The other thing is that family values must be entrenched in our societies,” she stated. She went on to highlight the societal importance of family, linking the country’s struggles with mental health to broken homes and disintegrating family units,” she added.

“We are praying for families to be together every day in churches. Yet when a couple walks in unity, people have a problem?” the DCP Party leader’s wife questioned.

While responding to claims that she is domineering and controlling her husband, Dorcas emphasized that their marriage is a partnership, built on mutual support in all aspects of life.

“How can you domineer a man like this? This man is causing a whole nation not to sleep?” Dorcas questioned.

“I will not stop loving my husband. I will not stop supporting him. I will not stop praying for him. I believe in his vision and his dreams, and I support that he talks the truth,” she said.

Commenting on the attack on Sam Mburu by Gachagua, the Health Cabinet Secretary stated that spouses of politicians should not be dragged into political mudslinging.

According to Duale, politicians should attack themselves and not the partners of their rivals.

“What has Sam done to Gachagua now? If you want to talk politics, do it with Susan Kihika, who is a politician and not Sam, who is a businessman,” Duale stated.