Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is safe after a dramatic incident at a church in Othaya where teargas was reportedly lobbed, forcing his evacuation amid heightened political tension.
In a statement, Gachagua said he had safely arrived at his Wamunyoro residence, thanking residents of Othaya for assisting in his evacuation.
“I thank God for His Mercy and Kindness. I thank the residents of Othaya for helping my private security to evacuate me to safety,” he said.
“I am now safe having just arrived at my Wamunyoro residence,” Gachagua added.
He appealed to his supporters who had gathered in Othaya Town and Kiawara to disperse peacefully, saying planned activities could not proceed after his convoy and equipment were damaged.
“I request thousands of my supporters waiting for me in Othaya Town and Kiawara to peacefully go home as our vehicles have been disabled and sound systems dismantled,” he said.
Gachagua made serious allegations against security agencies and political leadership, claiming that armed officers were deployed around the venues where he was expected to address supporters.
“Please note that the killer squad backed by the local police are all over the two venues, and we don’t know their intention after failing to assassinate me inside a church,” he said.
The former deputy president also expressed gratitude to leaders and Kenyans who condemned the incident, describing it as a grave act of violence.
“My gratitude to all leaders and the people of Kenya for coming out to condemn this heinous act by Mr. William Ruto,” Gachagua said.
In his statement, Gachagua framed the incident in religious terms, asserting that divine intervention had ensured his safety.
“God is in control and his power surpasses that of William Ruto,” he said.
This comes after the 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 Witima 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.
