The National Police Service (NPS) has denied claims that its officers fired teargas into the Kariobangi North PCEA Church on Sunday, following an altercation that occurred during a thanksgiving ceremony attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The incident unfolded while David Warui, the newly elected Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kariobangi North, was being celebrated. During the service, two groups of youths reportedly clashed, hurling accusations at each other, which led to a tense standoff inside the church. This disrupted the service and drew a significant police presence to the scene.
The Police Version
According to the NPS, the altercation began when two groups of youths, some armed with crude weapons, attempted to force their way into the church premises. The officers on security duty at the site attempted to intervene by trying to separate the groups and clear a blocked road. However, when these efforts proved unsuccessful, the police officers reportedly fired warning shots and deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Contrary to claims made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the NPS has firmly rejected the suggestion that teargas was thrown into the church during the service. In a statement, the police clarified that as the situation escalated, officers from the Nairobi Police Command moved in to control the violent disturbance, but the confrontation inadvertently spilled into the church area, causing a temporary disruption of the service. The church leadership has since denied any reports of teargas being discharged inside the building.
“Towards the end of the service, two police officers on security duty noted a large group of rowdy youths, armed with crude weapons, attempting to force their way into the church. The two officers promptly called for reinforcements,” the statement from NPS reads.
Casualties and Ongoing Investigation
The chaotic scene led to six people being injured, and they were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The NPS further added that the clash appeared to have been planned in advance, suggesting it may have been premeditated.
“The incident has been condemned, and investigations are underway,” the NPS added, confirming that both the Nairobi Regional Police Commander and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched inquiries into the matter.
Accusations Against Ruto and Sakaja
Despite the police’s explanation, Rigathi Gachagua has openly accused President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of being behind the disruption. He suggested that the chaos was orchestrated as part of a broader political strategy to destabilize the event and disrupt the thanksgiving ceremony.
In response, church leaders have expressed concern over the incident but have assured the public that the service resumed peacefully after the brief interruption, concluding by 2:00 PM.
The Bigger Picture
The incident at the Kariobangi North PCEA Church highlights the rising tensions in Kenyan politics, where public gatherings—especially those involving political figures—are increasingly becoming flashpoints for violence and controversy. This is particularly evident as local elections and political power struggles continue to take center stage across the country.
As investigations continue into the nature and origin of the altercation, the National Police Service has urged the public to await the findings of the ongoing probe, while emphasizing its commitment to maintaining law and order in such volatile situations.
