Ruto Responds to Teargas Incident During Gachagua’s Church Visit in Othaya

President William Ruto has condemned the disruption of a church service in Othaya, Nyeri County, and urged politicians and security agencies to respect the sanctity of places of worship.

Speaking on Sunday at the PEFA All Nations Gospel Church in Gikomba, the President criticised the intrusion of political conflict into religious spaces and called for restraint. His remarks followed violent scenes at a church service on 25 January that forced his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, to flee.

The service in Othaya was disrupted after a teargas canister was detonated inside the church while Gachagua was in attendance. He later claimed the incident was a deliberate attempt on his life and escaped through nearby bushes. The National Police Service has disputed this account, stating that Gachagua’s team failed to notify local authorities of his visit.

Without naming those involved, Ruto warned against turning church gatherings into arenas for political confrontation. He said that while political competition was legitimate, places of worship must remain spaces of respect and peace.
The President also addressed security agencies, urging them to act with caution when political tensions arise in religious settings. He said churches and other places of worship should be protected from conflict and political disputes.

Following the incident, opposition leaders held talks with the police. On 30 January, Gachagua met Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja at Vigilance House alongside Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and PLP leader Martha Karua. Kanja said the police would improve coordination and communication with political leaders.

Despite these assurances, a subsequent opposition church service in Murang’a was marked by a heavy police presence.