Gachagua, clerics evacuated from church through 'panya' route as chaos rock service

Former Deputy President and clerics attending service at Witima ACK Church Othaya in Nyeri county on Sunday were forced to use an alternative route to leave the church premises.

This is after chaos erupted, allegedly when individuals in plain clothes, suspected to be officers arrived at the church and started lobbing teargas.

The incident, which involved the deployment of tear gas and live bullets, left civilians and churchgoers trapped inside the place of worship, while vehicles outside were set ablaze.

In a video seen by the Star, Gachagua, clerics and other worshippers had to use a 'panya route' to escape from the mayhem.

In a different video, the men armed with guns can be seen firing and lobbing tear gas towards the church.

It is alleged that vehicles, including those that belong to Gachagua, and property of unknown value were destroyed during the incident.

Some people were also injured during the fracas.

Earlier, Gachagua had taken to social media to describe the ordeal, alleging the government had sent a squad to attack them while inside Wairima ACK Church, Othaya.

He added that those present, including local churchgoers, were under attack.

“We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and torched my vehicles. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” Gachagua wrote.

In a post on X, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa alleged that Gachagua is still being held hostage at Witima ACK Church in Othoya.

"Some of us have managed to evacuate, including women and children. About seven plain-clothed police officers are conducting the operation," he wrote.

Gachagua has on several occasions found himself at the centre of controversy after security agencies fired teargas at public gatherings where he was in attendance, including church services, funerals and political rallies.

In July 2025, a church service at AIPCA Christ the King Church in Kahuro, Kigumo, Murang’a County, ended in chaos when police blocked roads and used teargas to disperse congregants.

Gachagua’s allies, including local political leaders, were forced to flee the scene as the fumes engulfed worshippers, many of whom were elderly or children.