Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the state of targeting him after teargas was lobbed into a church service he was attending in Othaya, Nyeri County, on Sunday, triggering panic among worshippers and forcing the service to stop.
The incident occurred midway through a service at Wairima ACK Church, where Gachagua was a guest. Videos circulating online show congregants rushing out of the church as teargas smoke spread, while others were seen praying and wailing amid the confusion.
In one of the widely shared clips, a young girl appears to faint as members of the congregation move quickly to assist her and carry her outside. Women and children were among those affected, with several seen covering their mouths and noses as they struggled to breathe while seeking fresh air. The service was temporarily halted following the disruption.
Other footage captured sounds resembling gunfire as teargas smoke filled the air outside the church. In the videos, a witness alleges that live ammunition was used and calls on Kenyans to intervene, claims that have raised concern but had not been independently verified by the time of publication.
The disruption also affected media coverage of the event, with at least one live broadcast ending abruptly as the teargas took effect.
Reacting to the incident, Gachagua blamed the state, alleging that police officers and state-sponsored groups were responsible for the chaos. He further claimed that live bullets were fired and that some of his vehicles were vandalised during the incident.
In a strongly worded statement, the former deputy president directly accused President William Ruto of orchestrating the attack, claiming there was an attempt on his life during the church service.
“William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Wairima ACK Church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and teargas, and my vehicles have been torched. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” Gachagua said.
The Othaya incident is the latest in a series of confrontations involving Gachagua at church services and political gatherings. On January 9, his convoy was reportedly blocked by police in Kirinyaga County while heading to a rally in Kegio. Supporters were allegedly dispersed using teargas, although Gachagua later proceeded with the event.
A day earlier, on January 8, armed individuals were reported to have attempted to block him from accessing Nyeri town ahead of another political meeting.
In late November 2025, a similar incident was reported during a Thanksgiving service in Kariobangi North, where police allegedly lobbed teargas into a church. At the time, police said they were intervening to prevent clashes between rival groups—one supporting Gachagua and another opposed to him—claims the former deputy president dismissed.
By the time of publication, there were unconfirmed reports that Gachagua’s whereabouts were unclear following the chaos in Othaya. Police had not issued an official statement on the incident.
