On Sunday, January 25, 2026, worshippers at ACK Witima Church were thrown into chaos when tear gas canisters were detonated inside the sanctuary where politicians, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, were worshiping.
Gachagua said he and others had to flee through the bushes to escape the smoke and bullets. “We were marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and they torched my vehicles,” he wrote.
President Ruto, speaking during a church service on Sunday, emphasised that while Kenyans are free to engage in politics, the church must remain a place of peace, respect and spiritual reflection.
“We can practise politics, we can look for leadership, but when it comes to church, that should be a place of respect,” he said, adding: “Let us not bring politics, hatred or chaos in churches. We want our churches to be a place of peace and seeking God.”
President Ruto urged all security bodies to safeguard places of worship from unnecessary and retrogressive political confrontation, warning that such incidents undermine national unity and the freedom to worship freely.
“All of us, irrespective of who we are and what we believe in, must respect the place of God in our churches,” he said.
Gachagua has been highly critical of the authorities, accusing the police and, by extension, the government of orchestrating the incident.
He demanded that police officers implicated in the disruption be arrested and taken to court, threatening nationwide demonstrations if justice is not served.
