Worshippers at Wairima Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Othaya, Nyeri County, were thrown into panic on Sunday morning after teargas was reportedly lobbed into the church compound during a service attended by opposition leaders.
Among those present was former Deputy President and leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua. The incident triggered chaos as congregants fled the church, while several vehicles parked within the compound were reportedly damaged and torched.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Gachagua claimed that police officers fired teargas into the church, forcing him and his allies to remain trapped inside.
He described the incident as an attempted assassination and accused the government of orchestrating a political witch-hunt.
“William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Wairima ACK Church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and my vehicles have been torched,” Gachagua wrote, while appealing to the public to pray for his safety.
Former Ndaragwa Constituency MP, Hon. Jeremiah Kioni, has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “shameful and cowardly.”
Kioni said the violence is not only an assault on innocent Kenyans but also a violation of the country’s Constitution, faith, and shared humanity. “There is absolutely no room for such lawlessness in our country,” he added.
He emphasized that a church should be a sanctuary, not a battlefield. No Kenyan, regardless of political affiliation or personal beliefs, should ever be threatened, harassed, or attacked while exercising their fundamental freedoms.
Kioni specifically referenced Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, stating that, like all Kenyans, he has the right to associate, worship, and move freely without intimidation. “These rights are not privileges granted by mobs—they are guarantees enshrined in our Constitution,” Kioni said.
However, the National Police Service (NPS) distanced itself from the claims, describing the incident as “deeply regrettable” and unacceptable.
In a statement, the NPS spokesperson and Director of Corporate Communications, Muchiri Nyaga, said the disruption occurred at around 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s ACK Church, Witima, while a church service was underway. Police reports indicate that a teargas canister was thrown into the church building, disrupting the service, and that several vehicles were damaged within the compound.
Nyaga said the Central Regional Police Commander immediately directed the Nyeri County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) to secure the scene and commence investigations. The Inspector General of Police has also instructed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to conduct swift investigations into the incident. The NPS noted that no injuries were reported.
“The nature of this incident is totally unacceptable and has no place in this country,” the police said, reiterating that churches are sanctuaries and should remain free from political conflict and violence.
Nyaga further appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident to share information with the nearest police station or through toll-free lines 999, 112, #FichuakwaDCI (0800 722 203), or WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.
He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to public safety, the rule of law, and the protection of freedom of worship for all Kenyans.
