I Am Safe’: Gachagua Reveals Whereabouts After Othaya Church Drama
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that he is safe and at his rural home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County, following chaotic scenes that disrupted a church service at Wairima ACK Church in Othaya on Sunday.
In a statement issued hours after the incident, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said he was successfully evacuated from the area with the help of local residents after violence erupted at the venue where he was expected to attend a church service. The incident sparked widespread concern after videos circulated online showing teargas canisters, gunshots, and worshippers fleeing in panic.
According to Gachagua, tensions escalated shortly before his arrival, forcing his security team to withdraw amid what he described as an unsafe and volatile situation. “I thank the residents of Othaya for helping my private security to evacuate me to safety. I am now safe, having just arrived at my Wamunyoro residence,” Gachagua said in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
He also appealed to his supporters who had gathered in large numbers in Othaya town and nearby Kiawara to disperse peacefully, citing logistical disruptions caused during the chaos. “I request that the thousands of my supporters waiting for me in Othaya Town and Kiawara to peacefully go home as our vehicles have been disabled and sound systems dismantled,” he added.
Gachagua’s statement followed hours of speculation and anxiety among opposition leaders and supporters, some of whom claimed he may have been abducted during the melee. The confusion was fuelled by limited official communication in the immediate aftermath and graphic images from the scene showing worshippers scrambling for safety.
In his response, the former deputy president reiterated allegations that the violence was not spontaneous but deliberately orchestrated. He accused security agencies of acting on political instructions, claiming the incident was part of a broader pattern of intimidation against opposition figures. While police had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, Gachagua insisted that law enforcement officers were directly involved.
The events in Othaya quickly drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka issued a strongly worded statement, directly blaming President William Ruto and his allies for what he termed a targeted attack. “If anything happens to Rigathi Gachagua, William Ruto, you will not have a country, beginning with yourself. Kenya will hold you wholly responsible,” Kalonzo said.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, who said he was present during the church service, described scenes of panic and alleged excessive use of force. “Some men and women were shot, and several children fainted,” the senator claimed, adding that worshippers were caught off guard.
Thang’wa further alleged that security officers were complicit in the violence. “The church was first tear-gassed with the assistance of police. The doors were then locked, with worshippers and leaders, including the People’s Deputy President Riggy G, trapped inside, as vehicles and parts of the church were set ablaze,” he said.
The incident has reignited debate over political intolerance, the role of security agencies, and the safety of public gatherings involving opposition leaders. Analysts note that churches, traditionally regarded as neutral spaces, are increasingly becoming flashpoints for political confrontation.
As investigations are awaited, calls are growing from civil society groups and opposition leaders for accountability and restraint, warning that continued political violence could deepen divisions and undermine public confidence ahead of future electoral contests.
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I Am Safe’: Gachagua Reveals Whereabouts After Othaya Church Drama
