Chaos as goons disrupt Gachagua church service in Kariobangi
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
What you need to know:
- The gathering was peaceful until the end of the service, when the youths arrived in large numbers on motorbikes.
- In the ensuing melee, four people sustained injuries as the crowd scattered, with some attempting to repulse the attackers.
A thanksgiving service for Member of County Assembly-elect for Nairobi’s Kariobangi North, David Wanyoike, was disrupted when a group of youths stormed the venue wielding crude weapons.
The service, held at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Berea Parish in Kariobangi North, was attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The gathering was peaceful until the end of the service, when the youths — allegedly mobilised to cause disruption — arrived in large numbers on motorbikes.
The entrance to PCEA Kariobangi North Berea Parish on November 30, 2025.
“Everything was going well. We were gathered outside the church with reflectors waiting for Gachagua to address us after the service. Suddenly, goons on motorbikes stormed the venue as they hurled bottles while attacking people,” said Peter Kamua, an eyewitness.
In the ensuing melee, four people sustained injuries as the crowd scattered, with some attempting to repulse the attackers.
The entrance to Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital in Nairobi on November 30, 2025.
“They (the goons) had knives and crude weapons. They started stoning the church and damaging vehicles around,” Kamua added.
To restore order, police officers used teargas canisters and live bullets to disperse the assailants. Some church members sought shelter inside the building as teargas fumes engulfed the premises.
“This is very wrong. We have children and elderly people here. Why are they doing this to us? We condemn this,” said Grace, a church member.
Simon Thuku, one of the victims, was stabbed in the right shoulder while trying to assist his cousin, who had been attacked and was bleeding from a leg wound. His cousin also lost a phone and money during the chaos.
The injured were taken to Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, which confirmed receiving four patients. One of the patients was later referred to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital for further treatment.
At the same time, Gachagua has hinted at endorsing Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as Mt Kenya’s presidential candidate, as he downplayed the United Opposition’s defeat in the November 27 Mbeere North by-election.
Gachagua's losses and wins
Mr Gachagua, who had withdrawn his DCP candidate Duncan Mbui in support of Democratic Party’s Newton Karish, insisted that he did not suffer defeat.
Mr Gachagua said he has already reached an agreement with Mr Musyoka on their strategy to dominate Nairobi County in the 2027 General Election.
“We have agreed that we will have a governor, senator, and woman representative on the DCP ticket. Between Mr Musyoka and I, we plan to secure 16 of the 17 National Assembly seats and 73 of the 85 ward seats,” he said.
Regarding the Mbeere North by-election, UDA candidate Leonard wa Muthende defeated Mr Newton Karish by 494 votes (15,802 to 15,308), Mr Gachagua said he does not share the loss.
“I did not field a candidate there… I only went to help my opposition friends. In any case, their candidate won but the prize was stolen by the government,” he said.
Mr Gachagua further noted that his candidates contested only five seats, winning three and coming a strong second in the other two.
DCP candidate David Wanyoike (right) receives his certificate from Returning Officer Abdi Roba after his victory in the Kariobangi North Ward by-election on November 28, 2025.
His party’s victories included Kariobangi North Ward (David Wanyoike), Narok Town Ward (Douglas Masikonde), and Kisa East Ward (Aduda Okwiri).
DCP’s candidate in the Magarini parliamentary seat (Stanley Karisa Kenga) and Purko Ward in Kajiado County (Sanare Saidimu) lost narrowly.
“Many political pundits are branding me as a loser in Mbeere North, which is not the case. They are also not acknowledging that my new party won three out of the five seats it contested,” he said.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) with the United Opposition candidate in the Mbeere North by-election Newton Karish attend a church service at ACK St Kanyuambora Parish.
Mr Gachagua insisted that President William Ruto remains “our collective national political enemy” in the 2027 elections.
He accused the government of using unorthodox methods to secure by-election victories, claiming security organs collaborated with goons to influence outcomes in favour of the government.
“The international community should take note of the direction this country is heading. The government is partnering with ragtag militias to create political mayhem. The police service has become complicit with goons tasked to attack political dissenters,” he said.
The former Deputy President warned that as the nation moves toward the 2027 General Election, democracy in Kenya is under criminal attack by a combination of police and militias.
“The country is being prepared for a major conflict by a regime determined to buy or forcibly secure victory,” Mr Gachagua said.
