GACHAGUA ALLEGEDLY MISSING AFTER CHURCH ATTACK

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was allegedly abducted on Sunday following a violent disruption of a church service in Nyeri County, an incident that he later described as an attempted assassination.

The chaos unfolded at Wairima ACK Church in Othaya, where police officers and suspected goons reportedly stormed the compound during a Sunday service attended by Gachagua, firing teargas and live bullets and vandalising vehicles.

Supporters said they were forced to whisk the former deputy president away after teargas canisters were lobbed into the church, triggering panic among worshippers.

Videos circulating online showed uniformed police officers and individuals in plain clothes attacking the church compound, while suspected goons outside were seen pelting stones at vehicles. Some of the individuals were wearing jungle jackets and appeared to be carrying teargas canisters.

As the standoff escalated, Gachagua posted on social media, claiming he and his allies were trapped inside the church and alleging a plot to kill him.

“William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Wairima ACK Church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and my vehicles have been torched. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” he wrote.

Footage later emerged showing Gachagua, clergy and congregants fleeing through a “panya route.” However, his allies later said they were unable to account for his whereabouts, raising fears that he may have been abducted during the confusion.

Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto said that while some leaders managed to escape, Gachagua could not be traced.
“We have just managed to escape from ACK Vetima Church and a heavy police presence, so we are now trying to head out. We had to use the panya route. We do not know exactly where we are, but what worries us even more is that we do not know where our boss, regarding Gachagua, is. We are urging the police to produce him in the next hour,” Wandeto said.

Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala claimed that unidentified men seized Gachagua amid the chaos and took him to an undisclosed location.

“Police and goons attacked us while we were in church. As we scrambled for safety, three hooded men took our party leader, and we do not know where they have taken him,” Malala said.

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa also alleged that the operation involved plain-clothed officers.
“Some of us have managed to evacuate, including women and children. About seven plain-clothed police officers are conducting the operation,” he said.

The incident sparked condemnation from opposition leaders, with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka warning that the government would be held responsible if any harm befell the former deputy president.
“Mr William Ruto, should anything happen to the Second Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya will hold you wholly responsible. I strongly condemn the violent attack at Wairima ACK Church in Othaya, where Gachagua and his team, together with unarmed leaders and civilians, are trapped inside a place of worship as live bullets and tear gas are deployed and vehicles torched outside,” Musyoka wrote on X.

Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi also condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable conduct in a democratic society.
“I strongly condemn the incident at Wairima ACK Church in which armed police in uniform have fired tear gas and live bullets in the church, and call on the police to take responsibility. This is unacceptable behaviour in a functioning democratic country,” Muturi said.

As pressure mounted, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence and ordered urgent investigations.

“I have noted with great concern the incident at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County. Violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” Murkomen said.

He said he had spoken to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who assured him that investigations were underway and that those responsible would be held to account.

Several vehicles belonging to Gachagua were vandalised during the chaos, and church services were disrupted by teargas. Hours later, Gachagua said he was safe at his Wamunyoro residence and urged his supporters to return home peacefully.

The Nyeri incident adds to a growing list of confrontations involving Gachagua at public gatherings, particularly church services, funerals and rallies, raising renewed questions about the use of force by security agencies at politically sensitive events.

As of Sunday evening, police had yet to issue a detailed official report on the incident.