It’s a sanctuary not battlefield! Kioni condemns Othaya church chaos

Jubilee Deputy Party Leader at a past event / FILE

Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has condemned the violence witnessed at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.

Kioni described the incident as a cowardly attack that violated the sanctity of a place of worship and the constitutional rights of those present.

Kioni said the clash, which disrupted a service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, turned a place of prayer into a scene of tears, fear, and mayhem.

He termed the attack an affront to the rights of worshippers and warned that Kenya must not allow political differences to escalate into threats against faith and civil freedoms.

“A church is a sanctuary, not a battlefield. No Kenyan, regardless of political standing or personal beliefs, should ever be threatened, harassed, or attacked while exercising their fundamental freedoms,” Kioni said.

The Jubilee Deputy Party Leader added that Gachagua, like all citizens, has the right to worship, associate, and move freely.

“Gachagua, like every Kenyan, has the unquestionable right to associate, to worship, and to move freely without intimidation. These rights are not favors granted by mobs; they are guarantees enshrined in our Constitution,” he added.

Kioni called on law enforcement to investigate the incident and ensure accountability, warning that impunity would encourage further violence.

The Sunday confrontation has sparked renewed debate over rising political tensions and the safety of public gatherings, particularly in places of worship.

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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.

Shortly after the incident, Gachagua himself shared a chilling account of the ordeal on social media, claiming that the government had sent a squad to disrupt the church service.

 The former deputy president has since thanked Kenyans and assured them that he is now safe after claims of abduction.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and deeply troubling.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Murkomen said violence has no place in society, noting that the incident was particularly disturbing because it took place in a place of worship.

"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.

The CS revealed that he has spoken to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, who assured him that investigations are underway and are being handled with urgency.

He said those responsible for the incident would be brought to justice. Murkomen directed the National Police Service to act without fear or favour, warning that both the perpetrators and their sponsors would face the full force of the law, regardless of their social standing or political affiliation.

“The police must move decisively and deal with the sponsors and perpetrators of this act without regard to their status in society or political affiliation,” he said.