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Witima church attack: NPS wants Gachagua to record statement as probe drags on
A Sunday service at Witima ACK Church in Othaya was abruptly disrupted when tear gas canisters were fired inside the sanctuary during a visit by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (inset).
The National Police Service (NPS) now wants Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua to record a formal complaint over the January 25, 2026, incident in which rogue police officers and suspected goons attacked worshippers inside Witima Anglican Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Footage of the incident, which was widely circulated online, shows attackers firing live bullets, hurling stones and lobbing tear gas canisters into the church compound as police officers in an official patrol vehicle appeared to provide cover.
In a statement dated February 15, 2026 and signed by National Police Service Spokesperson Muchiri Nyagah, the service said the pace and success of investigations depended heavily on the lodging of a formal complaint.
Tear gas engulfs parked vehicles after armed goons disrupted a Sunday service at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri County on January 25, 2026.
“The success and speed of the process depend significantly on formal reporting, detailed witness accounts and cooperation of complainants and members of the public,” Mr Nyagah said.
He said that upon receiving reports of alleged criminal activity, officers promptly initiated investigations in accordance with the law.
Official statements
Mr Nyagah noted that preliminary inquiries had been undertaken based on information in the public domain, but insisted that comprehensive investigations required affected persons and witnesses to record official statements.
“Officers have recorded statements, reviewed available footage and analysed intelligence to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any individuals responsible. The NPS continues to appeal to anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist investigating officers. This cooperation is essential to ensure justice is not only pursued but demonstrably upheld,” he said.
He reiterated that the service remained committed to impartiality, professionalism and adherence to the rule of law.
Mr Gachagua, who was attending the service, had some vehicles in his entourage damaged as he was evacuated through nearby bushes in what he later described as an assassination attempt.
Despite condemnation from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, all of whom promised swift investigations and arrests, no suspect has been apprehended more than three weeks later.
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.
In what was interpreted by some as the beginning of a cover-up, Central Region Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha announced on January 29, 2026, that the matter was not being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Instead, he said, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had been tasked to take over the probe.
Crimes involving civilians
“For obvious reasons, the police cannot investigate themselves,” Mr Nkanatha said.
However, IPOA’s mandate is limited to investigating misconduct and excesses by members of the National Police Service and does not extend to crimes involving civilians.
He concluded that investigations remained active and that further updates would be issued when appropriate.
On Sunday, Mr Gachagua dismissed the statement as “chaotic logic aimed at covering up the attack” and an affront to freedom of worship.
“We have always maintained that the government had no intention to investigate the attack because it was its own baby,” he said.
He added that Mr Nkanatha had effectively admitted as much by stating that police could not investigate themselves.
Mr Gachagua further alleged that the attack was staged with the involvement of politicians allied to President William Ruto’s administration.
Advocate of the High Court Ndegwa Njiru immediately pointed out that "unless Mr Nkanatha wants us to perceive the attack as that which was wholly mooted, facilitated and executed by members of the National Police Service, this is the start of a grand cover-up".
Mr Njiru said, "the attackers included members of the public well recognised in the footage, and preliminary investigations indicate that there were politicians who were incriminated in the attacks".
Mr Njiru said: "IPOA cannot investigate civilians who include politicians since the constitutionally established authority for that purpose is the DCI".
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