Keypoints:
- Gachagua says he was the target of a planned attack
- Tear gas disrupted a church service in Nyeri County
- Government denies involvement as investigations begin
KENYA’S former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that he narrowly escaped an assassination plot after chaos erupted during a church service in central Kenya, an incident that has intensified political tensions and renewed concerns over rising hostility within the country’s political elite.
Church service descends into chaos
The incident occurred on Sunday at a church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where Gachagua was attending a service alongside local leaders and congregants.
According to the former deputy president, teargas was suddenly discharged during prayers, triggering panic as worshippers scrambled for exits. Videos shared online showed scenes of confusion, with elderly congregants assisted out of the building while others struggled to breathe.
No deaths were reported, though several worshippers were treated for teargas exposure.
Gachagua said the disruption was not accidental.
‘This was a calculated attempt on my life,’ he told supporters shortly after the incident. ‘They knew exactly where I would be.’
Allegations against security officers
The former deputy president accused what he described as ‘rogue police officers’ of executing the operation, arguing that such an incident could not have occurred without coordination from elements within the security services.
He claimed the attack formed part of a broader campaign of intimidation following his removal from office in 2024.
‘Places of worship should never become battlegrounds,’ he said, warning that Kenya was entering what he described as a dangerous political moment.
Government rejects accusation
The Kenyan government denied any involvement in the incident and urged political leaders to refrain from escalating tensions.
A police spokesperson confirmed that investigations were under way to determine the source of the teargas and the circumstances surrounding the disturbance but declined to attribute responsibility.
Officials said there was no authorised operation targeting the former deputy president and called on the public to allow due process to take its course.
A powerful figure beyond office
Gachagua served as Kenya’s deputy president from 2022 until his impeachment and removal in late 2024, becoming the first holder of the office to be ousted through parliamentary proceedings.
He played a decisive role in President William Ruto’s election victory, mobilising the politically influential Mount Kenya region — long considered a key electoral battleground.
Relations between the two leaders later deteriorated sharply amid accusations of political betrayal, corruption and marginalisation, culminating in a highly divisive impeachment process that fractured the governing coalition.
Despite losing office, Gachagua has retained strong grassroots support in central Kenya and remains one of the most influential opposition figures in the country.
Deepening political fault lines
Political analysts say the church incident reflects Kenya’s widening political polarisation, with rival factions increasingly clashing outside formal institutions.
Religious centres have traditionally served as neutral civic spaces during moments of national tension. Any perception that they are being drawn into political confrontation risks heightening public unease.
Opposition lawmakers have called for an independent inquiry, warning that unresolved allegations could further erode trust in state institutions.
Regional implications
Kenya remains East Africa’s largest economy and a key security and diplomatic partner for Western governments, making political stability in Nairobi a regional concern.
Observers say the episode highlights unresolved tensions following the 2022 elections and the continuing power struggle within Kenya’s political establishment.
For many citizens, the allegations underscore fears that political competition is becoming more personal, more volatile and increasingly unpredictable.
