NAIROBI, Kenya — National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei has strongly criticised claims linking President William Ruto to the 2007 Kiambaa church attack, terming the assertions reckless, misleading and politically driven.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Citizen TV’s DayBreak on Monday, Shollei faulted Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo for remarks that appeared to associate the President with a recent church attack at ACK Witima in Nyeri County, drawing parallels to the Kiambaa tragedy during the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Ngogoyo had suggested that the Nyeri incident mirrored the Kiambaa church attack, where nearly 250 people were killed after being burned inside a church in Uasin Gishu County, and questioned President Ruto’s role at the time, noting he was the area MP.
Shollei dismissed the comparison, saying it was unfair to attribute responsibility to the President based solely on his position at the time.
“It has become fashionable to accuse the President for political mileage, but that is very careless and unfair,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that Kenya has constitutionally established investigative mechanisms and urged leaders to allow due process to take its course.
She cited ongoing investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the National Police Service Internal Affairs Unit, and the Ministry of Interior, noting that senior security officials had already addressed the matter.
“We have institutions in this country. The Interior Cabinet Secretary has spoken, the Inspector General has spoken, and IPOA is in place. Let investigations be concluded,” she said.
Shollei further rejected claims that President Ruto was linked to the Kiambaa incident, insisting he was not present at the scene during the violence.
“It is wrong to suggest that because Ruto was an MP then, he is responsible. At that time, he was at KICC defending the vote tally for Raila Odinga,” she stated.
Drawing from her involvement in Kenya’s reparations framework, Shollei said records of victims of post-election violence were formally documented through the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, and cautioned leaders against distorting historical facts.
“There is a list of victims — those who died, lost property and were displaced. Leaders should study these records before making accusations,” she said.
Her remarks come amid growing concern over rising political confrontations in churches, following recent incidents where political leaders clashed during worship services.
President Ruto has previously warned against politicising places of worship, calling for churches to remain peaceful and respected.
Shollei also criticised leaders who have vowed not to report attacks to the police, warning that such actions undermine the rule of law.
“Leadership requires resilience. You report the matter, make it public and exhaust legal channels. You cannot refuse to go to the police,” she said.
The 2007 Kiambaa church attack remains one of the darkest episodes of Kenya’s post-election violence.
President Ruto was later charged at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations linked to the violence, but the case collapsed in 2016 due to insufficient evidence.
