OTHAYA, Nyeri, 25th January – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has alleged a well-coordinated plan to assassinate him due to his hard stance against the government. The immediate former Deputy President warned that if he is assassinated or injured, it will spark “turmoil and instability in the country.”
Gachagua made the claims at his Wamunyoro residence after a chaotic incident at St. Peter’s Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Witima, Othaya, where worshippers, including himself, were tear-gassed, by suspected plainclothes police officers.
He took to his official X account to describe the ordeal, saying they were marooned in the church, attacked with live bullets, and tear-gassed, with his vehicle and those of accompanying leaders stoned and torched.
“We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive. I thank God for His mercy and kindness, and the residents of Othaya for helping my private security to evacuate me to safety,” Gachagua said, confirming he had safely arrived at his home residence.
The incident is the second of its kind, following a similar occurrence on January 11th at AIPCA Kiamuoria Church in Gatundu North, Kiambu County. Opposition leaders, including Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, had demanded Gachagua’s safety, warning that the country “might plunge into profound chaos” if he was harmed.
“Isn’t this the country that we have been working tirelessly to build its democratic foundation brick by brick,” Kalonzo wondered.
In a quick response, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki condemned the violence, calling it a “criminal act that undermines democracy and violates freedom of assembly and worship.” He urged an impartial investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
“This should be followed by successful prosecution, as the only way to prevent this behaviour from replacing the democratic contest for leadership based on superior principles, ideas and programmes for taking Kenya forward,” he emphasised in a statement published across his official social media platforms.
On his part, the Interior Security and National Administration (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen directed the Inspector General Douglas Kanja to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book. The National Police Service (NPS) through its spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga also condemned the incident, promising to investigate and take action.
