The Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service has requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to assist in filing a court application that would allow access to mobile phone records tied to the events at St Peter’s ACK Church in Witima, Othaya, Nyeri County, on January 25.
According to a letter dated February 3, the unit said accessing the phone data is critical for analyzing communications connected to a set of numbers deemed essential to clarifying the circumstances surrounding the chaos.
“The purpose of this letter is therefore to request your office to consider filing a miscellaneous application before the Honourable Court to enable lawful access and preservation of information relating to the attached mobile phone numbers,” the letter stated.
Investigations are ongoing as the IAU awaits guidance from the ODPP. “Investigations into this matter have commenced, and you will be informed of the outcome once the investigations are complete,” the correspondence adds.
The probe comes after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered inquiries into the “deeply regrettable” disruption, which occurred around 11 am during a service attended by political figures, including former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Reports indicate that a teargas canister was thrown into the church, halting proceedings, while several vehicles inside the compound were damaged. Fortunately, no injuries were immediately reported.
“The nature of this incident is totally unacceptable and has no place in this country. The NPS wishes to remind Kenyans that it abhors violence in all its forms and those that shall be found to have perpetrated this callous disruption of the church service shall be dealt with firmly and swiftly as per the law. Churches are sanctuaries and have nothing to do with political differences or violence of whatever form or shape,” the police said at the time.
The incident adds to a series of disruptions linked to gatherings of opposition leaders, often carried out by individuals allegedly connected to law enforcement.
Last week, opposition figures gave IG Kanja a two-week deadline to arrest those responsible, warning that failure to act could trigger protests across the country.
