Standoff at Thika Church as Sifuna and Babu Owino Face Resistance Before Service

Standoff at Thika Church as Sifuna and Babu Owino Face Resistance Before Service

A brief but tense standoff unfolded at a church in Thika on Sunday morning after a political delegation led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino encountered resistance while attempting to access a worship service at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Thika.

The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared across social media platforms, drew significant public attention as members of the Linda Mwananchi movement arrived at the church ahead of a planned political engagement in the area.

Witnesses at the scene reported that the delegation was initially stopped from entering the church premises, triggering a brief confrontation involving church officials, security personnel, supporters, and congregants. The situation was later resolved following consultations between church leaders and members of the visiting group.

While no injuries or arrests were reported, the incident highlighted the increasingly delicate intersection between politics and places of worship, particularly as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Church Leaders Insist on Order and Procedure

According to videos circulating online, church officials maintained that all visitors, including political leaders, were expected to adhere to established procedures governing attendance and participation during services.

After the delegation was eventually allowed into the church compound, a preacher addressed the congregation and the visiting politicians, expressing concern over what he described as disruptions to an ongoing worship service.

“This is a church, and it has its procedures. Politicians need to plan themselves and come to church early without any commotions or disruptions,” the preacher stated.

The cleric further cautioned against any conduct that could interfere with the sanctity of the service.

“I do not want to hear anything about security. You have disrupted our service, and I am not happy about that. I need us to come to an understanding. This is the house of the Lord,” he said.

The preacher added that maintaining order during worship was non-negotiable, warning that continued interruptions could force church leaders to take further action.

“If you will not keep quiet, I can decide to end the service,” he told attendees.

The remarks were met with mixed reactions from sections of the congregation, some of whom appeared to support the church’s position while others welcomed the political leaders.

Front Seat Dispute Adds to Tension

The situation briefly intensified when church officials reportedly declined requests by some members of the visiting delegation to occupy front seats during the service.

In remarks captured on video, the preacher emphasized that seating arrangements would not determine who would be allowed to address worshippers.

According to church officials, every attendee was expected to observe the same rules regardless of social status or political position.

The move was viewed by some congregants as an attempt by church leadership to preserve neutrality and prevent perceptions of favoritism toward political figures.

Observers noted that churches across Kenya have increasingly found themselves balancing their role as community institutions with growing interest from politicians seeking to engage voters through religious gatherings.

Political Tour Continues Despite Incident

The Linda Mwananchi team later proceeded with its scheduled activities in Thika following the church service.

The group is expected to conduct a series of public engagements and meet-the-people forums across the town as part of its ongoing grassroots mobilization campaign.

The movement is associated with a faction of the Orange Democratic Movement that has expressed opposition to the party’s current cooperation with President William Ruto and has publicly questioned support for his anticipated 2027 re-election bid.

Political analysts say Sunday’s incident underscores the growing political realignments taking shape across the country as leaders position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.

While the standoff was eventually resolved peacefully, it has sparked fresh debate online about the role of politicians in religious spaces and the need to respect church protocols during public appearances.

For many observers, the events in Thika served as a reminder that places of worship remain sensitive environments where political interests and religious traditions can sometimes collide, requiring careful management to preserve both order and respect.

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Standoff at Thika Church as Sifuna and Babu Owino Face Resistance Before Service