Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen (left), Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja (centre), and the NIS Director-General Noordin Haji. Security chiefs are yet to address the case of an attack during a church service attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua (inset).
Four days after the attack on former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua at a church in Nyeri, the latest in a dozen incidents, there has been no reported questioning or arrest of suspects.
Security chiefs have ignored repeated queries about the status of investigations into Sunday’s violence in which armed men in plain clothes backed by police vehicles were caught on camera firing live ammunition and teargas, as other goons hurled stones, disrupting the service at Witima Anglican church in Othaya.
Mr Gachagua and his allies fled the violence that has been condemned by church leaders, as well as Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who also promised speedy investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators.
But four days later, authorities have not given an update of progress in investigations, if any, as has been the case with other incidents that have raised public uproar, with Mr Murkomen once again reiterating on Wednesday, January 28, that the case will be investigated.
"I have directed the central regional security team to ensure peaceful campaigns and cessation of attack,s especially those directed to churches,” the CS said in Kirinyaga Central constituency. “President Ruto has told us to be tolerant and I'm speaking as Interior CS promising that this is the last time we are witnessing this,” he added, without providing any brief to show progress in the probe.
Residents scamper for safety after tear gas canisters were lobbed at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri County during a Sunday service that was attended by Rigathi Gachagua on January 25, 2026.
No response
Since Monday, the Nation has contacted security chiefs seeking an update on investigations but there has been no response.
Mr Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Directorate of Criminal Investigations director Mohamed Amin, National Security Intelligence Services Director General Noordin Haji, the head of police complaints Beatrice Kiraguri and National Police Service spokesman Muchiri Nyagah did not respond to our queries about the status of the investigations.
Central regional commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, who chairs the region’s security committee, regional police commander Jasper Ombati and the regional criminal investigations head Abraham Mugambi did not also respond.
The Nation first sent the security bosses messages on Monday morning listing a dozen attacks against the former deputy president, including the recent one, inquiring on the status of investigations and answers as to why there had been no legal action taken so far.
We sent them a reminder on Wednesday morning but there were no responses. On Sunday, Mr Nyagah had released a public statement saying Mr Ombati had been detailed to task Dr Mugambi to "immediately secure the scene and commence investigations.” The statement had stated that Mr Kanja had instructed the Internal Affairs Unit “to promptly probe the incident".
Mr Nyagah had added that "the nature of this incident is totally unacceptable and has no place in this country".
The Nation had also asked the security chiefs whether authorities were probing reports that Sunday’s attack had been planned by rogue police officers.
Orders to attack
Hours after the attack, a police officer tipped the Nation that the attack had been planned in Nairobi on Friday in a clandestine meeting that was hosted by two senior police officers and three Mt Kenya elected leaders.
The officer revealed that "we were 15 police officers and we were paired with about 20 youths who we were to link up with in Nyeri County".
The officer added that "we were issued with orders that we were supposed to attack Mr Gachagua ".
Following the incidents, some government-allied leaders, including Mathira MP Eric Wambui, claimed Mr Gachagua had stage-managed the incident.
On Wednesday, January 28, Mr Gachagua told the Nation "no request has been directed my way to go and record a statement, making the whole issue a mere charade, a game of musical chairs where the goal is ensuring a cover-up".
“The investigators have never gone to the scene, have not contacted the church and certainly they have not contacted me about any aspect of the investigations they promised," the Democracy for Citizens Party leader told Nation.
And speaking at Democratic Party's National Delegates Conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 28, Mr Gachagua dismissed Mr Murkomen for “issuing noncommittal political statements while avoiding the crux of the matter.” “He is not telling us who ordered serving police officers armed with official weapons and riding in official patrol vehicles to partner with goons in executing a terror siege against worshippers," Mr Gachagua said.
Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya told the Nation, "it is an interesting incident since it is apparent that the official intelligence filed about Gachagua's intended worship at Witima church is the very one that was availed to criminals to stage the attack".
Mr Natembeya claimed, "this is arguably one of the worst criminal infiltrations ofthe Interior Ministry by criminals aided by serving officers".
Advocate of the High Court Mr Kariuki Mwangi told the Nation that "the continued silence by security agencies on such a matter of huge public interest offends the Access to Information Act (2016) that gives citizens the right to information from public bodies.”
"The notoriety by security departments to refuse updating the country on such a matter is reckless and only fuels speculation that part of this government is criminal," he said.
But it emerged that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had prepared a statement ON Wednesday but there were delays to authorise its release.
“Let me tip you that we have drafted an update for the public but it is yet to be approved to be released...by close of this month we will have issued a public update," an official told Nation.
The IPOA official added "but it hurts not to tell you that we are contacting witnesses who were at the scene and certainly we are looking into any aspect of excesses that might have been committed by any police officer".
The official went on "we are looking into the details released about specific police officers leading goons and use of government equipment to terrorise the worshippers".
But police are yet to act on previous complaints recorded by Mr Gachagua’s camp.
Also Read: Political storm over Rigathi Gachagua attack
On March 30, last year, Mr Gachagua allies were attacked by a criminal gang backed by police officers at AIPCA church in Kariara ward, Gatanga sub-county.
One of the victims was Kariara Ward MCA Gichobe Mbatia, whose vehicle was damaged.
On Wednesday, Mr Mbatia told Nation that "despite I and others recording a police statement where we named well-known suspects, no follow-up was made".
He added that "we were attacked by some of the suspects we saw in the Othaya incident...this is a gang on the prowl and its financing, command and coordination centre is one".
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In another incident on July 27 last year in Murang'a County, armed police officers and goons beat up United Opposition politicians who were worshipping at AIPCA church in Kahuro.
Immediately, the convoy showed up at Ngonda shopping centre, police started firing bullets and teargas as the goons threw stones.
Scores were injured and several vehicles were damaged.
Through their lawyer Mr Ndegwa Njiru, the victims recorded a joint statement at Gachocho police patrol base regarding the attack.
"We secured OB Number 03/27/07/25 of 6.16 pm, the narration being attacked by police officers and goons. The victims had injuries, reported loss of properties and malicious damage of their vehicles," Mr Njiru told Nation.
He said that the officers did not attempt to make a follow-up on the issue and to date, no action has ever been taken against the perpetrators.
"Coincidentally, the very same faces that were in Kariara were the ones that were in Kahuro and more still, some of them were in Othaya. We are dealing with a purposeful gang assembled to deal with government dissenters operating within United Opposition, specifically in Mt Kenya and where Mr Gachagua is the leader," he claimed.
He added that "when criminals combine efforts with police to terrorise part of Kenyans, we can safely say the country is firmly on its way to the opposite of Singapore".
Another incident on November 23, last year in Mbeere North's Karangare Anglican Church saw Mr Gachagua attacked by a knife-wielding youth but his security detail shielded him.
No investigations were carried out.
Former Muminji MCA Newton Kariuki on Wednesday told the Nation that "the assailant who was apprehended by members of the public remains free to date.” “The boldness of impunity coming with these government loyalists is on another level".
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