"We Did Not Stage Manage Church Attack, Teargas, AK-47s Or Police Uniform Are Not Sold" Gachagua Break Silence Amid Accusations From the Govt

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has firmly rejected accusations linking his political camp to the recent attack on a church service in Othaya, Nyeri, dismissing the claims as illogical and politically driven. Addressing supporters on January 25, 2026, Gachagua argued that the incident has been deliberately misrepresented to tarnish his name and weaken his growing influence in the Mount Kenya region.

The controversy arose after armed individuals disrupted a church gathering, triggering speculation that the chaos was deliberately engineered for political gain. Critics alleged the incident was carefully choreographed to elicit sympathy or implicate rivals. Gachagua countered by questioning the feasibility of such claims, insisting that the operation described would require access to resources far beyond the reach of any private political group.

He pointed to the use of teargas, firearms and official police attire, stressing that such equipment is tightly regulated and controlled by the state. According to him, these are not items that can be casually obtained by civilians or political operatives. By raising these questions, Gachagua shifted focus to the role of state security agencies, suggesting that responsibility for the incident lies squarely with those mandated to control such equipment and maintain public order.

The former deputy president framed the accusations as part of a broader pattern of political persecution following his impeachment and fallout with the current administration. He accused his opponents of exploiting security failures to manufacture narratives aimed at discrediting him and suppressing dissent within the region.

The Othaya incident has further exposed rising political temperatures in Nyeri and the wider Mount Kenya bloc, where loyalty battles and succession politics are intensifying. For Gachagua, the episode is not just about clearing his name but about reinforcing his portrayal as a target of coordinated propaganda.

By confronting the allegations directly, he appears determined to rally his supporters and recast the debate around accountability, state power and the growing mistrust between political factions and security institutions.