The former Deputy President accused President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of orchestrating the violent incident. He alleged that they organized goons to attack congregants inside the church, with the invasion marked by stone-throwing and chaos. Police reportedly kept off during the assault, while outside the church, officers lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd. A few minutes later, tear gas was also lobbed inside the church, which was filled with women and children.
Mr. Gachagua criticized the use of goons and heavy-handed tactics to disrupt religious gatherings, stating that such actions only alienate the public further. “The more President Ruto relies on police and goons to harass and intimidate people, the more they drift away from him,” he emphasized.
He pointed to the recent Kariobangi North by-elections as evidence of this distancing, noting that the UDA candidate finished fourth, while the DCP candidate emerged victorious. Gachagua asserted that this was just the beginning, and that his party would secure the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections.
Nevertheless, he urged his supporters not to be cowed by these acts of harassment, emphasizing that their resilience remains vital. He described the government’s actions as a sign of desperation.
The former Deputy President was accompanied by Nairobi leaders and other national figures, including Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and several other leaders.
