NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a detailed clarification following Sunday’s chaotic scenes at PCEA Kariobangi North, where a thanksgiving service was disrupted by violent clashes involving rival youth groups during a tense post–by-election environment.
In a statement released by the Office of the Inspector General, the NPS acknowledged what it called a “regrettable incident” and confirmed that six people were injured and rushed to the hospital.
According to police, the service was underway when officers noted a group of armed youths attempting to forcefully enter the church compound. Reinforcements were called in as a second rival group reportedly arrived to confront the first, escalating the confrontation.
Police say the clashes spilled into the church compound, temporarily disrupting the service.
The statement directs the Nairobi Regional Police Commander and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to deploy all available resources to investigate what the NPS described as “callous and regrettable” acts it believes were both planned and premeditated.
The NPS also refuted widespread claims that officers lobbed a tear gas canister inside the church. According to the statement, church leadership confirmed that no tear gas was thrown into the sanctuary, and the worship service later resumed and ended peacefully at 2 p.m.
“The Service takes great exception to such callous acts, particularly when directed at a place of worship,” the statement read, extending sympathies to the injured.
The police further appealed to members of the public who witnessed the chaos to provide information through local police stations, law enforcement officers, or toll-free hotlines, including #FichuakwaDCI.
The incident has sparked national debate, drawing sharp criticism from several political leaders who accused state agencies of violating the sanctity of worship spaces. The NPS, however, maintains that officers acted to suppress violence initiated by armed civilian groups.
Investigations into the disturbance are ongoing.
