A Sunday service at PCEA Kasarani East church was thrown into disarray after a group of youth stormed the premises, forcing security officers attached to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to fire into the air in an attempt to restore order.
Eyewitnesses say the group, many dressed in military-style gear, forcibly entered the church demanding to be paid for their attendance. The confrontation quickly escalated, resulting in damaged church property including broken chairs and several congregants sustaining injuries amid the scuffle.
The disruption forced the suspension of the church service as worshippers fled to safety. In the chaos, a vehicle linked to Gachagua was pelted with stones, its windows shattered. Despite the fracas outside, the former DP remained seated calmly inside the church, apparently undisturbed by the events unfolding beyond the main dais.
The presiding bishop strongly condemned the intrusion, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding religious spaces.
“We have freedom of worship in Kenya, and the Constitution guarantees that you can visit any part of the country,” the bishop said.
There was no visible presence of the National Police Service during or after the incident, with only Gachagua’s private security responding. At the time of publication, the NPS had not issued any statement on the matter.
This is the second time in recent weeks that an event involving the former Deputy President has ended in chaos. On March 23, he was temporarily blocked from leaving the ACK Cathedral in Nyeri town by an agitated group.
