Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of staging the chaotic church attack that disrupted a Sunday service in Othaya, claiming the whole scene was orchestrated for political sympathy ahead of mounting tensions in Mt Kenya politics.
It’s the latest salvo in what’s fast becoming a heated back-and-forth over Sunday’s dramatic events at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri County. Teargas canisters flew, gunfire echoed nearby, vehicles burnt outside, and Gachagua – along with clergy and worshippers – had to scramble over a fence to safety.
Videos spread like wildfire online, showing panic inside the sanctuary, people coughing and fleeing, and even one woman collapsing near the altar. Gachagua quickly pointed fingers at the government, alleging a “killer squad” sent by President William Ruto to intimidate him and his supporters. He posted frantic updates during the ordeal, asking for prayers as they felt trapped.
Cherargei, a staunch Ruto ally, isn’t buying any of it. In comments that surfaced late Sunday, the senator suggested Gachagua masterminded the disruption himself. He claimed the former DP brought in his own security detail – including police officers still loyal to him – and had “goons” escorted to the scene to create chaos.
According to Cherargei, it was all a calculated move to paint himself as a victim, rally his base in central Kenya, and keep the narrative alive that he’s being targeted by State House. “This looks like stage management,” he reportedly said, urging investigators to dig deeper into who really sparked the violence.
On the other hand, government-friendly voices like Cherargei are pushing the staging theory, suggesting it’s just another sympathy play from a politician fighting to stay relevant post-impeachment.
This isn’t the first time such claims have flown – remember similar whispers around earlier disruptions at events Gachagua attended? Critics say he’s leaning into the victim role to rebuild influence in the region, especially with 2027 looming and alliances shifting.
Police have stayed mostly quiet so far, promising a probe but offering few details. Witnesses describe plainclothes officers mixed in with the crowd, lobbing canisters and firing shots to disperse what started as protests or clashes outside.
Whether it spilt over unintentionally or was provoked remains unclear. Independent bodies like IPOA will likely get involved, sifting through footage and statements to piece it together.
For ordinary folks in Othaya, it’s left a sour taste. A day meant for prayer turned into fear – families choking on gas, clergy helping evacuations through back routes, the smell lingering long after. Local leaders want calm restored, but the blame game isn’t helping.
Gachagua thanked supporters for their concern once safe at home, vowing not to be silenced. His allies see it as proof of desperation from the top to crush dissent in Mt Kenya.
Cherargei’s bold claim adds fuel, framing it as theatre rather than threat. He’s no stranger to controversy, often defending the administration fiercely in Senate debates. If evidence backs him, it could flip the script entirely. If not, it risks looking like deflection from real security lapses.
Either way, this saga underscores how raw nerves still are after Gachagua’s ousting. Mt Kenya politics feels like a powder keg – loyalties tested, old rivalries resurfacing. Sundays in church used to be an escape from all that.
Now, even there, the drama follows. As investigations kick off and more voices chime in, Kenyans will be watching closely. Truth matters, but in the meantime, the divisions run deep. Peace in the pews shouldn’t be too much to ask.
