Democracy For The Citizens Party (DCP) has written to the Inspector General of Police, accusing authorities of inaction over alleged state-sponsored violence. The party says it will pay a courtesy call to Jogoo House after the police chief failed to attend a scheduled review meeting.
In a letter dated February 18, 2026 and addressed to Police IG, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, the party outlined its concerns and next steps.
The correspondence, marked as received on 18/2/26, was signed by Senator Cleophas Malala in his capacity as “DCP Deputy Party Leader” under the party banner “Skiza Wakenya.”
Under the subject line “Re: ACTION ON STATE-SPONSORED VIOLENCE AND FURTHER FOLLOW-UP,” the party referred to an earlier engagement with police leadership. “We refer to the meeting held with yourselves on January 30, 2026, the Principals of the United Opposition at Jogoo House following the Witima ACK Church attack and other 24 incidents which was tabled to you,” the letter reads.
The party stated that both sides had agreed to reconvene for a review session. “By consent, we agreed to hold a review meeting with you on February 16, 2026 at 10.00am,” it said.
However, DCP alleged that the meeting did not take place as planned. “Unfortunately, on the said dates, you absented yourself.”
The letter then sets out the party’s next course of action. “The purpose of this letter is to inform you that on Friday, February 20, 2026, we shall pay a courtesy Call on you at Jogoo House at 10.00 am.”
This communication elaborates on what happened on January 25, 2026, when a chaotic incident unfolded at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, during a Sunday service attended by leaders of the Democracy For The Citizens Party (DCP), including its principal figure and former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
The event escalated into violence when tear gas canisters were lobbed inside the church sanctuary, disrupting worship and causing panic among congregants, including children, the elderly, and civilians present for the service. The use of force in a place of worship shocked religious and political communities nationwide.
According to police reports, the chaotic disruption occurred around 11 a.m., and officers said a teargas canister was thrown as the service was underway.
Vehicles parked within the church compound were damaged during the incident, adding to the turmoil.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) described the incident as a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of worship and urged authorities to apologise and take action.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) called the tear-gassing “manifestly excessive” and “a blatant disregard for the sanctity of worship.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence and directed the National Police Service (NPS) to conduct investigations, while emphasising the protection of democratic freedoms, including assembly and worship.
In the weeks that followed, DCP leaders sought accountability from the police leadership.
On January 30, 2026, the opposition’s United Opposition leadership, including DCP and other party figures, marched to the office of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to formally present their complaint about the church attack and seek answers.
However, when the delegation arrived at Jogoo House, they did not find Inspector General Douglas Kanja in his office.
The leaders had expected a scheduled engagement to review the Witima ACK Church incident and other reported cases, but the meeting did not take place.
The absence of the police chief deepened frustrations within the opposition ranks, who said they had sought formal accountability and clarification on the investigations.
The development later prompted DCP officials to issue written communication notifying the Inspector General of a fresh planned visit, insisting on direct engagement and follow-up over the stalled probe.
