Tear Gas and Gunfire Rock Kariobangi North as Gachagua Attends Church Service

A thanksgiving service in Kariobangi North, Nairobi, was briefly disrupted on Sunday when rival political groups clashed outside a PCEA church attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Police intervened shortly before midday after tensions escalated between youths said to have been mobilised to disrupt the event and supporters of Gachagua. The confrontation spilled onto the road near the church, forcing nearby businesses to close as residents and passers-by sought safety. 

Officers used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse the groups. The fumes drifted into the church, prompting worshippers to cover their faces as the service paused before continuing.

The disturbance came amid heightened political activity following the Democracy for Citizens Party’s (DCP) victory in the Kariobangi North Member of County Assembly by-election three days earlier. DCP candidate David Wanyoike Warui won with 2,282 votes, defeating independent candidate Kimanzi John Katua, who received 1,956. 

Warui described the win as a significant moment for the ward and for the party, which is working to strengthen its position nationally. Sunday’s service had been organised to mark the by-election result and was led by Gachagua, who attended with senior DCP officials including Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, and Nairobi Patron Irungu Nyakera. 

The Kariobangi North seat is one of three won by DCP in recent by-elections. In Narok Township, Douglas Masikonde secured 5,997 votes against UDA candidate Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate, while in Kisa East ward in Khwisero, Dickson Okwiri Aduda also emerged victorious. Gachagua called the results a major achievement for a party formed only seven months ago, saying DCP had surpassed much older political groups.

Encouraged by these gains, Gachagua announced plans to expand the party’s activities to the Coast region. He cited the strong performance of DCP candidate Stanley Karissa Kenga in the Magarini by-election, where Kenga finished second despite the party’s limited presence in the area. 

Gachagua said DCP would establish offices and recruit aspirants at the Coast over the holiday season. The Coast region, long considered an ODM stronghold, is expected to play a decisive role in the 2027 elections following the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga.