The National Police Service (NPS) says it has launched investigations into an incident in which a church service at St Peter’s ACK Church in Witima, Nyeri County, was violently disrupted on Sunday.
Several political leaders, including Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, were in attendance at the time of the incident.
In a statement, the NPS said the disruption occurred at around 11 a.m., when a teargas canister was allegedly thrown into the church, forcing the service to stop. Police also reported that several vehicles were damaged within the church compound.
The service said the Regional Police Commander for Central directed officers from the Nyeri Criminal Investigations Office to secure the scene and commence investigations, while the Inspector General ordered the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to conduct parallel inquiries.
“The Inspector General of the National Police Service, having been made aware of the incident, has directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to move in with speed and commence investigations with the deserved urgency,” read the statement.
“There were no reports of injuries. The nature of this incident is totally unacceptable and has no place in this country.”
Police said the service abhors violence in “all its form”, adding that those found to have perpetrated the disruption would be dealt with firmly and swiftly in accordance with the law.
“Churches are sanctuaries and have nothing to do with political differences or violence of whatever form or shape,” the NPS said.
Members of the public with information were urged to report to the nearest police station or contact authorities through the toll-free numbers 999, 112, or #FichuakwaDCI.
The statement came shortly after the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen ordered a probe into the incident, a move that Gachagua dismissed, claiming the disruption was a State-sponsored attack allegedly carried out by police officers.
Addressing journalists shortly after the incident, Gachagua accused the Kenya Police Service of orchestrating the violence at the church service in Witima, Othaya, where he had gone to worship.
He rejected earlier media reports describing the attackers as “unknown people,” insisting the perpetrators were identifiable police officers.
“I’ve called this press briefing after the very violent attack and assassination attempt by government through the Kenya Police Service today in Witima, Othaya, where we had gone for a church service,” Gachagua said.
“I want to correct that media stations earlier reported that the attack was by unknown people. It is not unknown. This attack was by the police.”
Gachagua further alleged that more than 15 police officers, armed with AK-47 rifles and teargas canisters, descended on the church and injured congregants, including women and children.
