Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed calls for an investigation into a violent incident at a church in Othaya, Nyeri County, insisting the attack was a state-sponsored assassination attempt carried out by police officers.
Addressing journalists shortly after the incident on Sunday, Gachagua accused the Kenya Police Service of orchestrating the violence at a church service in Witima, Othaya, where he had gone to worship.
He rejected earlier media reports describing the attackers as “unknown people,” saying the perpetrators were identifiable police officers.
“For coming good people from the press, 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 alleged that more than 15 police officers, armed with AK-47 rifles and tear gas canisters, descended on the church, injuring congregants, including women and children.
He claimed that one of his vehicles, a Land Cruiser registration number KDK 002, was torched, while tyres of other vehicles belonging to worshippers were deflated.
“They injured women and children and hurt many people. The police torched one of my vehicles… They beat people outside the church mercilessly,” he said.
According to Gachagua, the officers arrived in government vehicles and were accompanied by individuals he described as “goons,” who allegedly travelled in a matatu.
He further claimed that spent cartridges had been recovered at the scene.
“These are the people who attacked the church, and they had AK-47s and we have collected some cartridges, 7.62 millimetre,” he said. “They had come to kill, and they were baying for our blood.”
The former deputy president also took aim at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who had indicated that investigations would be conducted into the incident.
Gachagua dismissed the proposal, arguing that the police could not investigate themselves.
“I’ve heard Murkomen saying that they are going to investigate. How can Murkomen investigate himself? How do police investigate themselves?” he asked.
“These people came with police vehicles, GK vehicles. Murkomen cannot tell the people of Kenya that they are going to investigate anything.”
Gachagua claimed the officers involved were known and accused them of having participated in similar attacks elsewhere.
“These police officers are known… Images are circulating on social media. You have asked the IG to investigate — you cannot investigate yourself,” he said.
He described the incident as an unprecedented attack on a place of worship and questioned why the government would turn against church leaders.
“People have been left in anguish, wondering why their own government can turn against the Church of Christ and turn against leaders,” Gachagua said, adding, “This is a government attack well known to Kipchumba Murkomen. Stop pretending that you are shocked that a church can be attacked.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier condemned the incident of violence reported at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, saying investigations had been launched and those responsible will be held to account.
In a statement, 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.
