Gachagua Accuses State Of Orchestrating Church Attack, Seeks International Intervention

By Andrew Mbuva 

DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of orchestrating a violent attack on worshippers at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, terming the incident a clear case of state-sponsored intimidation and a dangerous sign of rising political impunity.

Speaking during a press briefing shortly after the incident, Gachagua dismissed claims by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that investigations would be conducted, questioning how the police could credibly investigate themselves.

“How can Murkomen investigate himself? How can the police investigate themselves?” Gachagua posed, alleging that police vehicles were directly involved in ferrying armed goons to the church. He cited a government vehicle, registration number GKB 765X, and another from Moraga Police Station, which he claimed transported both police officers and hired attackers to the scene.

According to the DCP leader, the attack was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of coordinated assaults against him and other opposition figures. He alleged that the same group of police officers attached to a senior officer identified as Betty Minor had previously attacked him in Kagio and Narok, and had also targeted Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu.

“These officers are known. Their images are circulating on social media. After the attack, the goons retreated to a home in Kamunyaka, where they are now together with police officers, having lunch and drinks,” Gachagua claimed.

The former Deputy President accused the government of pretending to be shocked by the attack on a church, saying such reactions were merely a façade. He described the incident — where police lobbed teargas canisters into the church and allegedly fired live bullets at congregants — as a blatant violation of the sanctity of worship and a grave abuse of state power.

Gachagua further warned that the country was being pushed towards instability ahead of the next general election, accusing President William Ruto of deliberately stoking tension out of political desperation.

“William Ruto is setting the stage for civil strife because he knows he is losing,” he said. “He wants Kenya to be like Tanzania or Uganda, but Kenya cannot be Uganda and it cannot be Tanzania.”

He appealed to the international community to intervene, warning that unchecked impunity could plunge the country into chaos.

“We are appealing to our friends in the international community to come through for Kenya. This impunity must be checked. What has happened today has raised temperatures extremely high. The people are agitated, and they will not take it,” he said.

In a personal address to the President, whom he described as a former boss and friend, Gachagua said he understood the President’s political frustration but cautioned against using state machinery to suppress dissent.

“I understand your frustration that you have lost the mountain,” he said, in reference to the Mt Kenya political bloc.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with human rights groups and religious leaders expected to weigh in on the use of force against worshippers. As pressure mounts, the Othaya church attack is shaping up to be a defining flashpoint in Kenya’s already charged political landscape.