Africa-Press – Kenya. DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that he has reached his Wamunyoro residence safely following a chaotic incident at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County today.
The assurance of safety by the former DP also comes moments after DCP Deputy Party leader Cleopas Malala claimed that Gachagua had been abducted.
“Fellow Kenyans, today we were in church at Othaya, and when we had started the service, goons came inside, beat us up, and threw everyone out. They hurled teargas at us when we were coming out, some people took our party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, and we don’t know where he has been taken,” Malala said.
Malala demanded that Gachagua be “produced within the next one hour,” accusing unknown actors of endangering the lives of DCP officials and supporters.
He urged Kenyans to demand Gachagua’s immediate release.
Gachagua has since thanked the residents of Othaya for assisting his private security to evacuate him from the church compound, and said he was now out of danger.
In a statement on X, Gachagua asked his supporters who had reportedly gathered in Othaya Town and Kiawara to disperse peacefully, claiming that his vehicles had been disabled and sound systems dismantled.
“I thank God for His Mercy and Kindness. 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 wrote on X.
“I request 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 alleged that an armed group supported by security agencies remained at the two venues following what he described as an attempt on his life.
Gachagua also thanked leaders and Kenyans who condemned the earlier incident and stood with him.
“My gratitude to all leaders and the people of Kenya for coming out to condemn this heinous act. God is in control and His power surpasses,” he added.
The chaos occurred on Sunday at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where Gachagua and his team were attending a church service.
The incident, which involved the deployment of tear gas and live bullets, left civilians and churchgoers trapped inside the place of worship, while vehicles outside were set ablaze.
Shortly after the incident, Gachagua himself shared a chilling account of the ordeal on social media, claiming that the government had sent a squad to disrupt the church service.
He described the scene as chaotic and life-threatening, noting that both his team and local churchgoers were under attack.
“We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and they torched my vehicles. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” Gachagua wrote, highlighting the intensity of the confrontation.
Gachagua and other leaders were forced to use an alternative route to leave the church premises.
In a video seen by the Star, Gachagua, clerics, and other worshippers had to use a ‘panya route’ to escape from the mayhem.
In a different video, the men armed with guns can be seen firing and lobbing tear gas towards the church.
It is alleged that vehicles, including those that belong to Gachagua, and property of unknown value were destroyed during the incident.
Some people were also injured during the fracas.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the violent attack.
“This is a grave and unacceptable violation of the Constitution and the rule of law. A church is a sacred and protected space. The use of force against unarmed citizens in such circumstances is unlawful and indefensible,” Kalonzo said on X.
