Opposition team denied entry as Kindiki attends Kaaga church service

Update, 5:40 pm:

METHODIST CHURCH denies inviting Gachagua, Kalonzo and other opposition leaders to Bishop David Muthuia's ordination at Kaaga Synod in Meru; Reverend Ben Linguli says DP Kindiki was among the officially invited guests.

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Sunday 1:13pm: An advance team for the United Opposition leaders was on Sunday escorted out of Kaaga Methodist Church in Meru County, where Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Justin Muturi were scheduled to share a podium with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

The leaders had been invited to attend the ordination service of Kaaga Synod Bishop David Mwiti Muthuiya.

There was a heavy police presence outside the church after it emerged that the United Opposition leaders were expected to attend the service.

Read: Keep off Mt Kenya region, it is my backyard, DP Kithure Kindiki tells Rigathi Gachagua

The opposition’s communication, team led by Paloma Gatabaki, had arrived early and secured seats in a tent opposite the one occupied by the Deputy President.

However, shortly after setting up their sound system, the opposition leaders’ handlers were asked to leave.

Ms Gatabaki said the police asked them to leave before they were escorted out by anti-riot police officers.

Read: DP position is going nowhere, Kithure Kindiki tells Mt Kenya 

“We have been told to leave the church even though we were invited. The police told us we are not allowed to stay,” Ms Gatabaki said.

A poster that had been circulated to publicise the event indicated that the United Opposition would be attending the ordination service was later stamped as fake by the Methodist Church.

The leaders later attended Sunday service at the Africa Pentecostal Church.