NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has condemned the use of teargas and violence at St. Peter’s ACK Church in Nyeri County on January 25, 2026, terming the incident an unacceptable breach of public peace and a violation of the sanctity of places of worship.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 27, the Commission said the disruption endangered congregants, including children and the elderly, and created panic and chaos during a religious service.
“The occurrence, which involved the deployment of teargas within a place of worship targeting congregants, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, followed by violence and chaos, represents an unacceptable breach of public peace and the sanctity of religious institutions,” NCIC said.
Sanctity of Worship and National Stability
The Commission stressed that places of worship are protected spaces meant for spiritual reflection, unity and communal harmony, warning that any violation threatens national cohesion and stability.
“Places of worship are sacred spaces intended for spiritual reflection and communal harmony, and any violation of these spaces threatens the very fabric of national social cohesion,” NCIC stated.
The incident, which occurred amid heightened political tensions, has sparked widespread public concern and renewed debate over the conduct of security agencies and political actors.
Call for Political Restraint and Professional Policing
As the country edges closer to the 2027 General Elections, NCIC urged political leaders to exercise restraint, tolerance and commitment to peaceful dialogue.
The Commission also called on security agencies to act professionally and strictly adhere to the principles of necessity, proportionality, and legality when responding to public order situations.
NCIC warned against the use of political hooliganism, including the mobilisation of groups to intimidate citizens, noting that such actions erode public trust, undermine democracy and threaten peaceful coexistence.
“We call for maximum political restraint and tolerance from all political actors, professional conduct from security agencies in accordance with the principles of necessity, proportionality and legality, commitment to peaceful dialogue, and unequivocal condemnation of political hooliganism and violence,” the Commission said.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
Echoing NCIC’s concerns, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya described the Nyeri church incident as a grave assault on constitutionally guaranteed rights.
ICJ said the use of teargas in a place of worship violated rights enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, including human dignity, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and assembly, security of the person, and the right to life.
The organisation expressed alarm over what it termed the growing normalisation of unlawful and disproportionate use of force by security agencies.
ICJ called for independent, transparent, and prompt investigations to establish accountability and prevent recurrence.
Commitment to Peace
NCIC said it will continue working with state agencies, political actors and civil society to safeguard peace, cohesion and constitutional order across the country.
The Commission warned that failure to decisively address such incidents risks deepening divisions and weakening public confidence in institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law.
