Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken out after chaos erupted during a Sunday church service in Kariobangi North, where a group of unidentified individuals armed with crude weapons stormed the sanctuary and disrupted the gathering.
According to a video widely circulated online, the church session had begun peacefully before masked intruders entered the PCEA Kariobangi North compound and ordered congregants to leave immediately. The abrupt disruption sent worshippers, including women and children, into panic as they fled the premises for safety.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua condemned the incident and directly blamed President William Ruto, accusing him of weaponizing state authority and enabling violence against civilians.
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that Mr. William Ruto is turning Kenya into a militia country where women, children and churches have become his key targets of lethal attacks,” Gachagua said.
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He alleged that the attackers were acting on the president’s instructions and that police officers were also involved in the raid.
“For the record, Mr. William Ruto, sending goons and police to attack us at the PCEA church, Kariobangi North today, to punish the people of Kariobangi North for rejecting your UDA candidate, shows how desperate you are,” he claimed.
Gachagua further alleged that two supporters of the Democratic Coalition Party (DCP) were shot during the confrontation and were currently receiving treatment for serious gunshot wounds.
“Today, your police and goons opened fire and shot two DCP supporters who are now nursing serious gunshot wounds,” he said, terming the attack on the church as a violation of sacred spaces and human dignity.
“Directing police to throw tear gas in church to harm the clergy, women and children is the lowest a leader can go. You have desecrated the altar and defiled a holy place and for sure God will punish you,” he added.
The former Deputy President said such incidents would only strengthen public resistance to what he termed as President Ruto’s “unpopular leadership.”
“Much as I appreciate your frustrations, the more you send goons and police to attack the public and their leaders, the more you harden their resolve against your unpopular leadership,” he stated.
By Sunday evening, police had not issued an official statement on the Kariobangi North incident. The government has also not responded to Gachagua’s allegations.
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