Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned an incident of violence reported at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, saying investigations have been launched and those responsible will be held to account.
In a statement issued after the incident, Murkomen said he was deeply concerned by the events at the church, stressing that violence has no place in society, particularly within places of worship.
“I have noted with great concern the incident at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County. Violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS said he had personally engaged the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, who assured him that security agencies were treating the matter with urgency.
“I have spoken with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, who has assured me that investigations are underway with the urgency this matter deserves and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen reiterated the need for impartial investigations, calling on the police to act independently and without bias.
“The police must move without fear or favour and deal decisively with the sponsors and perpetrators of this act without regard to their status in society or political affiliation,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, including freedom of worship and the right to assemble peacefully.
“As a Government, we remain firmly committed to upholding the tenets of democracy, including the right to lawful assembly and freedom of worship,” Murkomen said.
The CS also appealed for calm among residents of Othaya and surrounding areas as investigations continue.
“I urge members of the public in the area to remain calm as law enforcement agencies address the matter,” he said.
His remarks come after former Deputy President and clerics attending service at Witima ACK Church Othaya in Nyeri county on Sunday were forced to leave the church premises after chaos erupted, allegedly when individuals in plain clothes, suspected to be officers arrived at the church and started lobbing teargas.
The incident, which involved the deployment of tear gas and live bullets, left civilians and churchgoers trapped inside the place of worship, while vehicles outside were set ablaze.
Gachagua had taken to social media to describe the ordeal, alleging the government had sent a squad to attack them while inside Wairima ACK Church, Othaya.
He added that those present, including local churchgoers, were under attack.
“We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and torched my vehicles. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” Gachagua wrote.
