NAIROBI, Kenya- Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi has issued a stark warning that Kenya risks sliding into chaos if organised political violence is allowed to take root, following the disruption of a church service in Othaya attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement, Omondi said he was “gutted” by what he described as an organised attack on peaceful worshippers, stressing that violence against political opponents or civilians could never be justified, regardless of political differences.
“The attack on peaceful Kenyans worshipping in church is unacceptable and must be condemned without qualification,” Omondi said.
The MP, who voted for Gachagua’s impeachment, was careful to separate his political opposition from the events in Othaya.
He recalled that the former deputy president had previously made “reckless remarks” endorsing police violence against protesters, remarks Omondi said informed his impeachment vote, but insisted that this did not justify retaliatory violence.
“I opposed Rigathi Gachagua politically and voted to impeach him for reasons including his stance on police violence,” Omondi said.
“But I cannot, and will never, support the use of violence against political opponents or innocent Kenyans.”
Omondi said the Othaya incident mirrored some of the darkest chapters in history where political intolerance descended into mass violence.
He drew parallels with Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, the 2008 Kiambaa church killings in Uasin Gishu during Kenya’s post-election violence, and the collapse of Haiti after years of lawlessness.
“These are the moments when men lose their heads — and their humanity,” he warned.
The legislator said attacks on places of worship were particularly dangerous, noting that churches had historically been sanctuaries even in times of political conflict.
“Organised attacks on churches signal a total breakdown of moral and legal order,” he said.
“When the rule of law collapses, citizens begin to defend themselves. That is how nations burn.”
Omondi pointed out that he had previously condemned an attack on Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and consistently called for accountability, regardless of political affiliation.
“All Kenyans must unite against organised violence — whether it targets politicians, worshippers or protesters,” he said. “There must be accountability. No one should be above the law.”
He warned that failure to act decisively could have catastrophic consequences.
“The real danger is what happens when 50 million Kenyans conclude that the rule of law has broken down and self-defence is the only option,” Omondi said.
The National Police Service (NPS) has since condemned the incident, describing it as a totally unacceptable violation of the sanctity of worship.
“The nature of this incident is totally unacceptable and has no place in this country,” the police said, assuring the public that those responsible would be dealt with firmly and swiftly according to the law.
The police added that the Nyeri Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) was immediately dispatched to secure the scene, while the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) has been directed to conduct an urgent and thorough investigation.
Gachagua accused Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and his wife Betty Maina of planning the violence.
