KISUMU, Kenya — Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have accused the government of orchestrating the violence that disrupted a church service at ACK St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu on Sunday, claiming the incident was a coordinated attempt to intimidate leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The two leaders, who had attended a fundraiser organised by the Kenya Anglican Men’s Association (KAMA), said the attack was not spontaneous and announced plans to address the incident in detail during a media briefing on Monday.
“We intend to hold a media briefing tomorrow on the events that took place in Kisumu,” Orengo said.
Orengo Alleges State Involvement
The Siaya governor claimed the violence bore the hallmarks of a well-organised operation, alleging there was evidence linking some leaders to the attack.
“What happened today did not happen by accident. The boldness, the audacity and the level of organisation behind the violence point to the hand of the state,” Orengo said.
He thanked the Anglican Church leadership for remaining calm during the disruption and commended worshippers for maintaining order despite the unrest outside the cathedral.
Sifuna: We Will Not Be Intimidated
Sifuna said he had travelled to Kisumu at the invitation of Governor Orengo and the Anglican Church leadership to participate in the church fundraiser.
“We came here for prayers on the invitation of the governor and the leadership of the Anglican Church in Kisumu,” he said.
The Nairobi senator thanked Kisumu residents for helping ensure the safe evacuation of leaders and worshippers after violence erupted outside the church.
He claimed the incident mirrored another attack targeting leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement in Nyahururu on the same day.
“I think everybody in the country can now tell that Linda Mwananchi has unsettled people in very high places. They think that the only way to deal with us is through violence. We are saying this will not work,” Sifuna said.
He maintained that the movement would continue its activities despite what he described as attempts to intimidate its leaders.
“We are not going to be intimidated. This country has to be rescued,” he added.
Condemns Violence at Place of Worship
Sifuna condemned the disruption of the church service, saying no Kenyan should face violence while exercising the constitutional rights to worship and assemble peacefully.
“Nobody looking at the pictures coming out of Kisumu can be proud of a country where people openly carry bows, arrows and pangas to attack a congregation in church,” he said.
The senator also referred to reports of violence in Nyahururu, saying he had been informed that one member of the Linda Mwananchi team had been shot.
“We are praying for his recovery because he did nothing to deserve such violence,” he said.
He urged Kenyans, particularly young people, not to lose hope, expressing confidence that the country could uphold the rule of law, democracy and constitutional freedoms.
Leaders to Issue Comprehensive Statement
Orengo and Sifuna said they would issue a detailed statement on the Kisumu incident during a media briefing scheduled for Monday in Nairobi.
The violence broke out during the church service, with reports indicating that at least two people were injured and several motorcycles were torched as rival groups clashed outside the cathedral.
Police have since launched investigations into the incident.