NAIROBI, Kenya — DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa has strongly condemned what he describes as state-sponsored violence targeting opposition leaders and worshippers, following chaotic scenes at a Nairobi church and recent by-elections in Malava and Mbeere North.
In a statement released on Monday, December 1, Wamalwa expressed grave concern over the disruption of a Thanksgiving service at PCEA Church in Kariobangi North on Sunday, November 30, 2025, attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other leaders.
The incident reportedly affected worshippers, including Sunday school children.
Wamalwa coined the term “Goonverment” to describe what he termed an “unholy alliance” between the government and criminal elements.
“There’s a dangerous phenomenon developing in the affairs of our national politics where the Government has gotten into an unholy alliance with goons and become a ‘Goonverment’,” he said.
He warned that the collaboration between goons and police to intimidate perceived critics or opposition figures threatens Kenya’s democracy and violates constitutional principles of free and fair elections under Article 81.
“For elections to be free and fair, they must be free from violence, intimidation, and corruption,” Wamalwa emphasised.
Drawing a stark comparison with failed states, Wamalwa cautioned that Kenya risks descending into chaos if the trend continues.
“Where ‘Goonverment’ takes over from Government, as has happened with the Ruto Regime, the country ceases to be governed by the rule of law and becomes a Gangster Republic and a failed State like Haiti, where the law of the jungle and goons rule,” he said.
He further accused the National Police Service of elevating goons into “private state-sponsored militias,” facilitating what he called the privatization of violence.
“Instead of goon suppression, there’s goon support, instead of goon elimination, there is goon elevation by the National Police Service,” he charged.
Former Deputy President Gachagua also weighed in, accusing President William Ruto of deploying state forces and hired groups to intimidate political opponents and the public. He alleged that two supporters of the DCP candidate were shot and seriously wounded during the confrontation.
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that Mr William Ruto is turning Kenya into a militia country where women, children, and churches have become his key targets of lethal attacks,” Gachagua said. He claimed the attack was retaliatory, punishing Kariobangi North residents for rejecting a UDA candidate in the by-elections.
The National Police Service offered a different account, attributing the disturbance to clashes between two groups of youths during the Thanksgiving service. Officers reportedly intervened after detecting rowdy youths armed with crude weapons attempting to force their way into the church.
When another group approached to confront the first, the police moved in to prevent violence.
“Police moved in quickly to quell the escalating situation, which regrettably spilled into the church, temporarily disrupting the service,” the NPS statement read. Six individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalised, and authorities described the disturbances as both planned and premeditated.
The Nairobi Regional Police Commander and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have been directed to conduct a thorough probe into the incident, amid rising tensions between political leaders and law enforcement.
This incident has further intensified debates on the role of security agencies in political events and the need to safeguard citizens’ rights to worship and participate in free and fair elections.
