Nyeri Governor Slams Church Incident Involving Gachagua, Calls for Police Accountability

Kenya, January 25 2026 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has denounced the disruption of a church service in ACK Witima in Othaya Constituency, Nyeri County, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his team were attacked, terming the incident a disturbing assault on constitutional freedoms and the sanctity of places of worship.

In a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, Kahiga said the former Deputy President is entitled, under the Constitution, to move freely across the country, attend any church, and associate with individuals of his choosing without fear of intimidation or violence.

“The use of force in a church, especially against women and children, is unacceptable and deeply troubling,” Kahiga said, adding that such actions risk portraying the UDA administration as intolerant of dissenting political voices.

“Such barbaric acts continue to paint the UDA Government as intolerant and inconsiderate. How do you teargas children and women in a church surely?” he added. The governor cautioned against retaliation, urging Kenyans to remain calm and uphold peace despite rising political tensions.

“Elections will come and go, but the nation must endure. We must not allow political disagreements to tear our country apart,” he said. Kahiga also addressed public speculation surrounding his absence from the Witima event, clarifying that he had not been invited by either the church or the office of the former Deputy President.