Supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were forced to whisk him to safety on Sunday after police lobbed tear gas at worshippers in a church he was attending in Othaya, Nyeri County.
According to attendees, police officers descended on Witima ACK Church and fired tear gas, sending worshippers fleeing in panic.
There were also goons outside the church who pelted stones at vehicles.
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“Some of the goons were wearing jungle jackets and had tear gas canisters,” said one worshipper.
The former DP said police damaged vehicles at Witima ACK Church.
Nyeri County Police Commander Kipchirchir Too said that when he received the information, no officers were at the scene.
“My officers were not there, but I have dispatched eight to investigate what happened,” he said.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the incident.
“I strongly condemn the violent attack at Witima 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. This is a grave and unacceptable violation of the Constitution and the rule of law. A church is a sacred and protected space. The use of force against unarmed citizens in such circumstances is unlawful and indefensible,” Mr Musyoka said.
Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said: “I strongly condemn the incident at Wairima ACK Church in which armed and police in uniform have fired tear gas and live bullets in the church and call on the police to take responsibility. This is unacceptable behavior in a functioning democratic country,” DP Leader, Justin Bedan Muturi.
Daily Nation
