Police have launched investigations following a violent disruption at a church service in Mwiki, Kasarani Sub-County, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other politicians were in attendance.
The incident occurred on Sunday, when a group of rowdy youth stormed the church, demanding money and vandalizing property before being chased away by police.
According to authorities, over a hundred motorcycles, each carrying two to three passengers, arrived at the church shortly after the former DP’s entourage.
Witnesses reported that the youth, some of whom appeared to be armed, began causing commotion inside the church, harassing attendees and demanding handouts from politicians.
Gunshots were heard during the confrontation, prompting officers from the Mwiki Police Station to rush to the location.
Police managed to disperse the attackers, several of whom were arrested alongside 10 abandoned motorcycles.
According to a DCI statement on Monday, preliminary findings indicate that the gunfire came from VIP security personnel and licensed civilian firearm holders who acted to protect the leaders from the advancing mob.
The rowdy group had already begun damaging parked vehicles and church property before being forced to retreat.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that the church had failed to notify the police of the high-profile attendance, leaving no pre-arranged security measures in place.
“Had the authorities been informed, adequate preparations could have been made to prevent such an incident,” a police report noted.
This latest disruption adds to a growing list of violent incidents at public gatherings across the country. The National Police Service has condemned the act, urging the public to maintain order and avoid actions that jeopardize peace. “Violence and intimidation have no place in our society, especially in sacred spaces like places of worship,” the DCI said in a statement.
“We call on the public to address grievances through lawful means rather than resorting to chaos that endangers lives.”
The Sunday incident drew condemnation from leaders and civilians alike, with former Public Service CS Moses Kuria terming it backward and primitive.
Kuria, a key advisor to President Ruto, condemned the violence in Gachagua, calling it “ungodly” and reminiscent of “primitive political wars” that have no place in houses of worship.
“This is utterly ungodly. Leave your backward and primitive political wars out of places of worship,” said Kuria.
Elsewhere, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka described the incident as a sta
te-sponsored assault, accusing the government of orchestrating an attempt to intimidate political opponents in sacred spaces.
Speaking during the service, he expressed dismay at the growing politicization of places of worship.
“We must not allow places of worship to be turned into theatres of violence,” said Musyoka. “This is state-sponsored, and it is unacceptable.”
