By David Kimani
Rigathi Gachagua, the opposition leader, claimed yesterday that President William Ruto had dispatched a “killer squad” to assassinate him after police stormed a service in Othaya with teargas and live rounds — an extraordinary allegation that has plunged Kenya’s politics into fresh turmoil and raised questions about the sanctity of worship spaces in the country.
The incident unfolded at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri County, where Gachagua had attended a morning service. Witnesses described scenes of panic as plainclothes men believed to be police officers lobbed teargas canisters into the compound, fired live ammunition, and torched vehicles. Congregants scrambled for safety, choking and gasping as smoke filled the sanctuary. Some claimed to have retrieved live bullets scattered across the church grounds. On his X account, Gachagua posted in real time: “William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Witima ACK church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and torched my vehicles.” The statement, laden with accusation and fear, immediately set the tone for a political confrontation that has since dominated national discourse.
The attack was not an isolated occurrence. Barely two weeks earlier, Gachagua had faced similar hostility outside the Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Gatundu South, where rival youth groups clashed and police resorted to teargas to disperse the crowd. Worshippers then, too, were left coughing and shaken, their prayers interrupted by the sting of gas. The repetition of violence in sacred spaces has alarmed both political leaders and civil society. Churches, traditionally seen as sanctuaries of peace, are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for political rivalries. The symbolism of teargas in a sanctuary — where congregants seek solace and spiritual renewal — has struck a nerve across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was among the first to respond, issuing a strongly worded statement yesterday evening. “Violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” he declared. Murkomen described the incident as a direct assault on democratic values and confirmed that he had spoken with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to initiate a comprehensive investigation. “The police must move without fear or favour and deal decisively with the sponsors and perpetrators of this act without regard to their status in society or political affiliation,” Murkomen added, calling for calm in Nyeri and assuring Kenyans of the government’s commitment to uphold freedom of worship and lawful assembly.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the attack in equally strong terms. “I plead with fellow Kenyans to reject the capture of the church, attacks on holy places and throwing of teargas,” Kalonzo said. He questioned how individuals in plain clothes could access teargas canisters, which are ordinarily restricted to the Kenya Police Service, and accused President Ruto of enabling unrest. “The misuse of state machinery to fight political battles undermines democracy and erodes public trust,” he warned.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also weighed in, describing the events in Othaya as “a dangerous descent into lawlessness.” He argued that the sanctity of worship must be protected at all costs and warned that the use of teargas and live bullets in churches risks normalizing violence in civic spaces. “We cannot allow places of worship to become theatres of political intimidation. This is a betrayal of our constitutional values,” Matiang’i said, urging independent investigations free from political interference.
Jeremiah Kioni, Second Deputy Party leader of the Jubilee Party, condemned the attack as “an affront to the people of Nyeri and to all Kenyans who value democracy.” He accused the government of weaponizing security agencies against opponents and reminded the public of the historical role churches have played in offering sanctuary during times of political turmoil. “If the church is no longer safe, then where can Kenyans turn for refuge?” Kioni asked, calling on clergy to speak out against the violation of sacred spaces.
Eugene Wamalwa, leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya, described the incident as “a chilling reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism.” He emphasized that Kenya’s democracy was built on the sacrifices of those who resisted state repression and warned that the current trajectory threatens to undo those gains. “We must resist attempts to silence dissent through violence. The church must remain a sanctuary, not a battleground,” Wamalwa said.
Martha Karua, the veteran politician and leader of Narc Kenya, was equally forthright. She condemned the attack as “a desecration of faith and democracy” and accused the government of failing to protect citizens’ rights. “When worshippers are forced to flee teargas in a church, it is not just an attack on individuals but on the very soul of our nation,” Karua said. She urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and to demand accountability from leaders who misuse state power.
Oburu Odinga, Raila Odinga’s elder brother, struck a more conciliatory tone, urging calm but acknowledging the gravity of the incident. “This shows the fragility of Kenya’s democratic institutions. We must not allow violence to define our politics,” he said.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, have called for independent investigations into the incident. “The allegations of live bullets and teargas in a church compound are grave and demand accountability,” Amnesty noted, warning that failure to act would embolden perpetrators and normalize violence in civic spaces. The National Council of Churches of Kenya also urged restraint and respect for sacred spaces, reminding leaders that the church must remain a sanctuary, not a theatre of political violence. Bishop Samuel Kariuki of the ACK Diocese of Mount Kenya South said: “The church must remain a sanctuary, not a podium for political wars. We welcome dialogue but reject violence and intimidation.”
Political analysts note that the attacks reflect a dangerous escalation in Kenya’s political contestation. “When worship spaces are violated, it signals a breakdown of respect for institutions that hold communities together,” observed Professor Peter Kagwanja, a governance expert. “It is not just about Gachagua; it is about the erosion of boundaries that should never be crossed.” Dr. Macharia Munene, another political scientist, argued that the incident illustrates the fragility of Kenya’s democratic institutions. “The use of violence in sacred spaces undermines both faith and democracy. It sends a message that no place is safe from political rivalry,” he said.
The repeated targeting of Gachagua at places of worship has raised alarm among civil society groups and clergy. For many, the sight of worshippers fleeing teargas in a church compound is a stark reminder of the costs of political intolerance. The sanctity of worship, the neutrality of security agencies, and the right to political expression are all under scrutiny. Murkomen’s condemnation, Kalonzo’s warning, Matiang’i’s alarm, Kioni’s outrage, Wamalwa’s caution, Karua’s defiance, and Oburu’s call for calm together paint a picture of a nation grappling with the boundaries of power and the meaning of democracy. While the government insists it will investigate, opposition leaders remain skeptical, pointing to a history of inquiries that yield little accountability.
The incident has forced Kenyans to reflect on the fragility of their democratic institutions. It has also highlighted the risks of politicizing sacred spaces, where communities gather for worship and solace. Analysts warn that if violence in churches becomes normalized, Kenya risks sliding into a dangerous precedent where no institution is immune from political rivalry.
As investigations unfold, the challenge will be to restore public confidence in both the security apparatus and the sanctity of worship spaces. Leaders across the spectrum have a responsibility to ensure that political rivalry does not spill into places meant for peace. The incident at Witima ACK Church is more than a clash between Gachagua and Ruto; it is a test of Kenya’s commitment to democracy, tolerance, and respect for institutions. Whether the nation rises to the occasion or slides further into division will depend on the actions taken in the coming days. For now, the smoke of teargas lingers not just in the church compound but in the national consciousness, a symbol of the urgent need for dialogue, accountability, and restraint.
Jerameel Kevins Owuor Odhiambo