NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned the violent disruption of a church service at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, describing it as a criminal act that undermines democracy and violates the constitutional freedoms of assembly and worship.
In a statement released on Sunday, Kindiki emphasized that violence, whether orchestrated by political opponents, self-serving actors, or any other parties, is unacceptable and erodes Kenya’s democratic foundations.
“Violence, whether organized by political opponents, by self for sympathy, or by whoever for whatever purpose, is a criminal act that undermines our democracy and violates the freedom of assembly and of worship guaranteed by law,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President called for a thorough, impartial investigation into those responsible for the attack.
He stressed that identifying the planners, executors, and enablers of the aggression and ensuring their prosecution is the only way to prevent such acts from replacing the democratic contest for leadership based on ideas, principles, and policies.
Violence, whether organized by political opponents, by self for sympathy, or by whoever for whatever purpose, is a criminal act that undermines our democracy and violates the freedom of assembly and of worship guaranteed by law.An impartial, non-politicized investigation of
“An impartial, non-politicized investigation of the planners, executors, and enablers of this aggression on a place of worship, followed by successful prosecution, is the only way to prevent this behaviour from replacing the democratic contest for leadership based on superior principles, ideas, and programmes for taking Kenya forward,” Kindiki said.
The attack occurred during a Sunday service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where police officers and armed individuals were seen firing teargas and throwing stones, forcing worshippers, including children, the elderly, clergy, and Gachagua himself, to flee or take cover.
The Othaya church incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, human rights defenders, and civil society groups, raising urgent questions about police conduct, political violence, and the protection of constitutional rights.
Terrorists In Police Vehicles. You can’t Throw Teargas And Fire Live Bullets In A Church Full Of Kids and Congregation…FOOLS!!
Kindiki’s statement aligns with calls from other leaders, including human rights activists Boniface Mwangi and Martha Karua, who have decried the use of state security resources to disrupt religious gatherings and intimidate opposition figures.
As investigations continue, Kenyans are demanding accountability and assurances that places of worship remain safe, and that political competition remains grounded in democratic principles rather than violence.
This is not the first time Gachagua has been attacked while attending a church service.
Rigathi Gachagua must be very powerful if, even after impeachment, he can organise, arm, and give orders to the police to go and teargas a church in Othaya, Central Kenya. The narrative being peddled by some UDA minions is foolish from the outset.
Past incidents have occurred in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Nyeri Counties.
Despite statements by police and government officials, the worrying trend has not stopped.
In Nyeri, police were seen working with armed goons.
