The United Opposition has announced it will initiate private prosecutions over the alleged violent attack at Witima ACK Church in Othaya and the ‘attempted assassination’ of former second Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing senior state officials of obstructing justice.
In a press statement issued in Nairobi on February 19, 2026, and signed by Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa and Fred Matiang'i, the coalition declared it would no longer engage the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
“The United Alternative Government hereby announces that we shall not be returning to the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja,” the statement read.
The leaders said they met the Inspector General at Jogoo House on January 30, 2026, regarding the alleged attack at Witima ACK Church and what they described as an attempted assassination of Gachagua.
They had scheduled a follow-up meeting for February 16 but were informed that the Inspector General was unavailable until February 20, 2026.
According to the coalition, investigations into the church attack had been concluded and the perpetrators identified.
“The perpetrators have been identified: twelve police officers who executed the attack using two Land Cruiser vehicles from Nairobi. The financiers have also been identified: two Members of Parliament from Murang'a and Nyeri counties,” the statement claimed.
The leaders further alleged that the investigative file, which was ready for transmission to the Director of Public Prosecutions, had been intercepted by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
“Shockingly, that file has reportedly been intercepted by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, with directions that no prosecution shall take place,” they said.
They described the alleged move as “a criminal abuse of power” and “obstruction of justice,” adding that it constituted “a direct assault on the rule of law and a grave violation of the Constitution of Kenya.”
Citing Article 157(10) of the Constitution, the coalition said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is constitutionally independent and not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.
Invoking Article 157(6)(b) of the Constitution, Section 28 of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, 2013, and Section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the leaders announced their decision to pursue private prosecution.
“The threshold for private prosecution is met in full in this case,” the statement read.
They said private prosecutions would be initiated against “all twelve (12) police officers who participated in the Witima ACK Church attack and the attempted assassination of H.E. Rigathi Gachagua” as well as “the two (2) Members of Parliament who financed and facilitated this criminal operation.”
The coalition also placed the Inspector General and the Kenya Police Service on notice not to interfere with planned public gatherings in Nairobi, Kisii, Nyamira, and Nakuru, stating: “These are lawful assemblies protected under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya.”
“Justice for the victims of Witima ACK Church will be served, with or without the cooperation of a compromised Inspector General,” the statement concluded.
