At least five political allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have been summoned by police over violence at a Mwiki church on Sunday, as PCEA elders blamed security authorities for failing to prevent the chaos.
The summonses were issued after initial investigations linked Mr Gachagua’s entourage to a group of individuals that violently disrupted a church service and fundraising event.
The development comes after blame game between supporters of Mr Gachagua and the Kenya Kwanza administration, who have accused each other of sponsoring the violence.
Chaos at PCEA Church as goons interrupt service attended by Gachagua
On Sunday, a city politician and state operatives were accused of hiring the rowdy mob to disrupt Mr Gachagua’s attendance of the church function.
Mr Gachagua also accused authorities of ordering local police not to provide security for the function although the local police station is only a stone throw away from the church.
And in yet another twist, some goons who had been arrested in the aftermath of the chaos were released unconditionally on Monday.
MPs Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk (Embakasi Central), Agustine Kamande (Roysambu), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Methu Muhia (Nyandarua County) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a County) are expected to record statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Gathiru said on phone that he was yet to receive the summons requiring him or his colleagues to appear before the DCI.
The Embakasi Central MP, however, said he is ready to record a statement and shed light on events that triggered the violence.
“I’m ready, but for now am yet to receive any summons,” he said.
“This is political propaganda and they are trying to divert the attention. Even if it is for a political reason, you cannot mobilise them to come to church. But it is now catching up with them,” Mr Gathiru added.
During the scuffle, a number of vehicles including those of Mr Gachagua and some MPs were damaged by stones hurled by the goons.
The Nation.Africa also sought responses from the other politicians named in the police report through calls and text and WhatsApp messages. There was no response from the Gachagua allies at the time of going to press.
A high-level security meeting held at the Jogoo House, attended by the police top brass including DCI Mohammed Amin, resolved that the Gachagua allies record statements as part of the investigations.
A vehicle with shattered windows pictured following chaos that erupted during a church service attended by Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at PCEA Mwiki on April 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
On Monday, a PCEA elder told the Nation that there was inaction from Mwiki police station, as the clerics had on Saturday informed officers that politicians, led by Mr Gachagua, would be attending the event.
“We informed the police informally a day before, though with the word of mouth since we were not sure of their attendance. We were not 100 percent sure that he was coming…that is why we just informed the police verbally,” the elder said.
According to the church, the situation could have been worse were it not for the men who stood and fought while women who remained behind backed them in prayers.
“We did not have any injury within our members. I would commend the men in the church who rose to the occasion to protect our women and children.”
Police investigations indicate that over 200 individuals arrived at the church at the same time as Mr Gachagua’s team, and started demanding money from the politicians.
When violence started, security personnel attached to the politicians fired in the air to disperse the crowd. The gunshots attracted a response from officers at Mwiki police station.
Responding police officers from Mwiki police arrested five men in connection with the violence, and impounded 12 motorcycles.
The five suspects were, however, released unconditionally on Monday and the 12 motorcycles returned to their owners.
A police report stated that the officers managed restore calm at the church but the youths who were rioting escaped.
A security brief sent to police headquarters at Vigilance House, and copied to Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, stated that the chaos started after a group of bodaboda riders followed Mr Gachagua’s team from Kangundo road junction into the church.
“Upon arrival at the church grounds, the motorcycle riders who were accompanying the politicians turned riotous demanding money from the politicians,” the police report said in part.
Mr Gachagua on Sunday criticised Inspector-General Douglas Kanja after police officers allegedly failed to prevent and quell the chaos.
“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 help because there are some officers who were conscious and they have the constitutional obligation to protect life and property,” Mr Gachagua said.
The scuffle delayed the service for nearly half an hour before the pastor took the stage to call for calm.
“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,” Reverend Simon Murigi Njaaga said.
