Maina Njenga disrupts Nyeri prayer meeting amid tensions with Rigathi Gachagua
Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga speaks to congregants during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri Town on January 18, 2025. Inset: Pastor Dorcas Rigathi during the prayer meeting.
What you need to know:
- Mr Njenga arrived at the tail-end of the event in a convoy of vehicles with chants of Ndovu.
- Pastor Dorcas Rigathi was hurriedly escorted from the venue by aides amid confusion.
Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and a convoy of his supporters disrupted an interdenominational prayer meeting in Nyeri County on Saturday that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was expected to attend.
The incident took place at Kamukunji Grounds, Nyeri Town, and led to the evacuation of Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Mr Gachagua's spouse and one of the conveners.
Pastor Dorcas was hurriedly escorted from the venue by aides amid confusion and tension. Mr Gachagua later condemned Mr Njenga’s actions.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi addresses congregants during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri Town on January 18, 2025.
“Unleashing the leader of an outlawed criminal gang and his goons to disrupt peaceful prayers and desecrate the altar, is the lowest any government can go no matter the level of desperation,” Mr Gachagua said in a social media post.
Mr Njenga arrived at the tail-end of the event in a convoy of vehicles with chants of “Ndovu”— referring to his ‘elephant’ slogan.
His sudden appearance caused panic among the attendees, with Nairobi-based preacher Rev Maina ‘wa OTC’ cutting short his prayer as congregants scattered in fear.
Police officers present also left the venue without any intervention.
Priests pray for former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri Town on January 18, 2025.
Despite the disruption, Mr Njenga was eventually ushered onto the main dais, where he joined visibly shaken clergy.
According to the programme seen by Nation Africa, Mr Gachagua was listed as one of the key speakers but failed to appear.
His spouse, Pastor Dorcas, earlier delivered greetings but did not explain his absence.
Sources indicated that Mr Gachagua remained in a Nyeri hotel after learning of Njenga's presence in town.
Addressing the congregation, Mr Njenga dismissed claims that his arrival was politically motivated.
Priests pray for former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri Town on January 18, 2025.
“I didn’t come here because of politics. In any case, I am a bishop. I heard there was a prayer meeting, and I decided to join you,” said Mr Njenga.
Mr Njenga then led his supporters in kneeling before the clergy, in what he said was a move to “repent for past sin and vowing to turn over a new leaf”.
While avoiding direct reference to his previous life of leading the outlawed sect, he criticised the “outdated” labels associated with his past.
“From now on, I will not insult anyone. I will join other churches in praying for this nation. These prayers should not be confined to Mt. Kenya alone but extended to other parts of the country,” he said.
The incident highlighted the ongoing rivalry between Mr Njenga and Mr Gachagua.
Dorcas Rigathi with other church leaders during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri Town on January 18, 2025.
In December 2024, Mr Njenga publicly declared his support for President William Ruto, calling on Mt Kenya residents to unite behind the government.
He also vowed to support MPs facing hostility for their alignment with Dr Ruto’s administration.
In response, Mr Gachagua has accused President Ruto of using Mr Njenga and the remnants of the outlawed Mungiki group to intimidate Mt Kenya residents.
Earlier this month, Mr Gachagua told Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Mungiki's activities.
“We want to let you know that you cannot force people to like you. Enlisting this group will not help,” Mr Gachagua said.
Before the disruption, leaders, including Nyeri Deputy Governor Waroe Kinaniri, criticised the government for issues such as youth abductions.
The meeting, initially organised to pray for the nation, turned into a stage for political and ideological clashes, reflecting the deepening divisions within Mt Kenya's leadership.
