NAIROBI, Kenya — Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused the National Police Service (NPS) of defying its constitutional duties after the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja failed to appear for a scheduled meeting to deliver a report on a violent incident at a church in Nyeri County.
Musyoka said opposition leaders had formally called on the police chief to provide a full report on the disruption of a service at the ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County — an incident that drew national outrage and remains under investigation.
“The violence has not stopped. Yesterday, leaders led by Senator Edwin Sifuna were teargassed while holding a peaceful rally in Kitengela. Two Kenyans lost their lives. Many others were injured. These were unarmed citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble,” the former Vice President decried.
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, a church service at St Peter’s Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Witima, Othaya, Nyeri County, was disrupted when tear gas canisters were lobbed into the compound, causing chaos and panic among worshippers.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attending the service when the attack occurred.
Despite notifying the Inspector General, Musyoka said neither he nor senior police leadership appeared for Monday’s meeting.
“Their absence was not accidental. It speaks to an institution that has chosen silence over accountability,” he stated, accusing the NPS of shielding perpetrators and ignoring constitutional obligations.
Musyoka also referenced an incident on Sunday, February 15, 2026, when anti‑riot police fired tear gas to disperse a rally organised by a faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela, Kajiado County, drawing condemnation from opposition leaders.
He claimed the violence at the Kitengela rally resulted in at least two deaths and numerous injuries.
“The national anthem declares justice our shield and defender, yet we witness justice denied and our people attacked for demanding their rights,” the Wiper leader said.
He was in the company of senior opposition leaders, among them Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa and others.
“We will return on Friday, February 20, 2026, or earlier if necessary, to receive the report that Kenyans deserve,” he said.
The National Police Service on Sunday confirmed it has launched an active investigation into the incident at St Peter’s ACK Church in Witima, Othaya.
The Police spokesperson, however, called on those affected to record a statement with the authorities.
Authorities have not yet announced any arrests or charged suspects publicly in relation to the church incident, and are continuing to seek evidence, with the pace of investigations linked to witness cooperation and formal reporting.
Police and armed goons were captured working together during the attack.
