Senator for Migori county, Hon. Eddy Oketch, has unequivocally condemned the violent disruption of a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, calling for police accountability and a comprehensive parliamentary investigation into the incident.
The attack occurred on January 25, 2026, at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, when armed men stormed the church during the service, firing live bullets and releasing tear gas into the congregation. This shocking act forced worshippers, including children and the elderly, to flee in panic, while several vehicles associated with Gachagua’s entourage sustained significant damage.
In the aftermath, Gachagua characterized the incident as a state-sponsored assassination attempt. Although police denied this assertion and claimed to have initiated investigations, the incident exacerbated existing political tensions in an already divided nation.
During a local TV morning breakfast show on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Oketch expressed his deep concern about the implications for security in Kenya, highlighting the distressing reality that children and churchgoers faced exposure to political violence. He emphasized that no political disagreement could ever justify violence in sacred or public spaces, asserting that such acts must cease, regardless of the setting—be it a church, school, market, or elsewhere.
Referencing images from the scene, Oketch urged authorities to act with honesty and urgency to identify the attackers. He insisted that accountability must begin with the police, emphasizing the need for officers deployed to restore order to meticulously document their actions and report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Oketch warned that the incident fostered a troubling perception that police officers could be complicit in unlawful acts. He stated that if the armed individuals were indeed police officers, the public deserved clear answers. Conversely, if they were not, the country would face an even more significant threat.
“If these individuals are not policemen, then we are confronting armed militias operating with impunity,” he asserted, questioning how such groups could function openly in Kenya without detection and deeming this scenario utterly unacceptable.
The senator further criticized the increasing reliance on hired thugs in Kenyan politics. He noted that some politicians now view violence as a viable component of their campaign strategies, rather than prioritizing leadership and service. According to Oketch, this alarming trend not only threatens democracy but also normalizes lawlessness.
He called upon Kenyans to firmly reject violence and demanded that leaders take responsibility for actions associated with them. Oketch cautioned that any failure to investigate and hold accountable those involved would only deepen the divisions within the country.
