Sunday worship at a quiet church in Othaya, Nyeri County, descended into confusion and panic after an unexpected security incident disrupted the service, sending congregants scrambling for safety.
What began as a solemn religious gathering quickly turned tense as clouds of tear gas engulfed the church compound, forcing worshippers to flee amid coughing and distress.
The incident occurred at Wairima ACK Church, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attending a church service alongside local leaders and residents.
Witnesses said the tear gas canisters were lobbed into the church compound moments after Gachagua arrived, causing chaos as worshippers rushed out, some abandoning personal belongings in the process.
Elderly congregants and children were among those affected, with several reportedly treated for tear gas exposure.
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Security officers were seen moving swiftly to secure the area as the former deputy president was escorted away from the scene.
Gachagua, who has remained politically active following his impeachment, later condemned the incident, describing it as an attack on freedom of worship and an act of intimidation.
He accused the state of using excessive force against civilians and called for accountability from security agencies involved.
Local leaders allied to Gachagua strongly criticised the incident, saying it reflected growing political intolerance in the country.
They questioned why a church service would be targeted and demanded an independent investigation to establish who ordered the use of tear gas at a religious event.
“This is unacceptable. Churches should remain neutral and safe spaces for all Kenyans,” one leader said.
Police, however, offered a different account, stating that the deployment of tear gas was meant to disperse a crowd that had gathered outside the church without authorisation, raising security concerns.
According to the police, the situation escalated after supporters attempted to force their way closer to the former deputy president, prompting officers to act.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with civil society groups and religious leaders calling for restraint and dialogue.
Many have warned that the use of force in places of worship risks deepening political divisions and undermining public trust in state institutions.
The dramatic scenes at Wairima ACK Church have added another chapter to Kenya’s increasingly charged political atmosphere, raising fresh questions about security, dissent and respect for democratic spaces.
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