President William Ruto has condemned the violent disruption of a church service in Othaya, Nyeri County, calling on Kenyans and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of places of worship and keep them free from political conflict.
The President spoke on Sunday following an incident at ACK Witima Church, where worshippers were thrown into panic after tear gas canisters were reportedly detonated inside the sanctuary during a service attended by politicians, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The chaos, which unfolded on Sunday, January 25, 2026, forced congregants to flee as smoke filled the church compound.
President Ruto, speaking during a separate church service, said the church must remain a place of peace and spiritual reflection, regardless of political differences.
“We can practise politics, we can look for leadership, but when it comes to church, that should be a place of respect,” he said.
Ruto warned against turning churches into arenas of hatred and confrontation, noting that such incidents threaten national cohesion and the constitutional right to worship freely.
“Let us not bring politics, hatred or chaos in churches. We want our churches to be a place of peace and seeking God,” he added.
The President further directed security agencies to ensure places of worship are protected from what he described as unnecessary and retrogressive political confrontations.
“All of us, irrespective of who we are and what we believe in, must respect the place of God in our churches,” he said.
Gachagua, who was among leaders attending the service, accused the police and the government of orchestrating the attack, claiming worshippers came under assault as officers fired tear gas and live bullets.
He said he and others were forced to flee through nearby bushes to escape the smoke and gunfire.
“We were marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and they torched my vehicles,” Gachagua said in a statement.
The former Deputy President demanded the arrest and prosecution of officers implicated in the incident, warning that he would mobilise nationwide demonstrations if action is not taken.
The incident has since heightened political tensions in the Mt Kenya region, with leaders allied to Gachagua accusing the government of intimidation as the country edges closer to the 2027 election cycle.
