Gachagua blames IG Douglas Kanja for Mwiki church attack

Rigathi Gachagua has accused Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja of allowing the attempted disruption of a Sunday church service that the former deputy president was attending in Mwiki, Kasarani, Nairobi County.

Mr Gachagua’s armed security personnel fired in the air as they battled to block goons who attempted to storm the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) moments after a fundraiser.

Barely an hour after the fundraising service in aid of a construction project, the goons stormed the church after breaking the gate, forcing the congregation, including Mr Gachagua, to abandon their chairs and run for cover.

Some of the rowdy youth could be heard shouting “tunataka pesa…wapi pesa yetu? (we want cash, where is our money?) as they throw chairs in the air.

The chaos interrupted the service for more than 30 minutes as helpless church leaders and their congregation watched the unfolding drama in shock.

At one point, rival groups clashed inside the church compound, with at least one motorbike being set on fire.

Several people were injured and vehicles, including Mr Gachagua’s, were stoned and damaged by the rowdy youth as the faithful scampered for safety.

According to Mr Gachagua, the local police officers failed to intervene and provide security to hundreds of congregants, despite Mwiki Police Station being approximately one kilometre away from the church.

“It’s okay, we are aware that the inspector-general asked the police not to come, but a few police in plain clothes came and helped because there are some officers who were conscious and they have the constitutional obligation to protect life and property,” Mr Gachagua said.

“I have been very careful and tolerant, telling our young people not to fight back because the plans of President's plan is to use our youth and this church to fight so that people would laugh at us. It’s not that we are cowards, but we are just responsible.”

The scuffle delayed the service for nearly half an hour before the pastor took the stage to call for calm.

Read: How the attack on Gachagua was carried out

“We have freedom of worship in this country, and we also have freedom of going anywhere because the constitution allows that. Even to those who are here, and I want to tell you that the law is clear, even to those who are trying to cause chaos here, there is freedom of worship. We have just come here to worship the Lord, irrespective of who is here. Political leaders are here with us, but they have freedom of worship,” The Reverend Simon Murigi Njaaga said.

Police Spokesman Michael Nyaga Muchiri did not comment on the incident but referred the Nation to Kasarani police boss Emmanuel Rono.

Mr Rono said that he was in a meeting and that he would revert. However, he had not returned the Nation calls by the time of going to Press.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the security scare, but according to Mr Gachagua's allies, a top city political leader is suspected to have mobilised the intruders.

The attack comes four months after Mr Gachagua and his allies were stoned in Limuru, Kiambu County, in what the former deputy president later described as an attempt on his life.

Mr Gachagua has linked the attacks to his fallout with President William Ruto and his ongoing campaigns to ensure his former boss does not secure a second term in 2027.

On Sunday, Mr Gachagua assured the people of Mt Kenya region that he would give them the direction to follow in a matter of one month when he is expected to name a political party.

He said that the party would be an alternative to the people from the region, who felt they had been left out by the Kenya Kwanza government following the impeachment of Mr Gachagua.

“We cannot be intimidated. Our party is ready. Don’t worry, as we get ready for the next elections as we deal with him.”