Opposition demands arrest of officers involved in church attack

Opposition principles Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Rigathi Gachagua,Fred Matiangi and Eugene Wamalwa during an engagement with IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon at  Anniversary tower offices in Nairobi on January 28 2026. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The Principals of the United Opposition have issued a two-week notice to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to arrest, disarm and prosecute police officers who  worked in cahoots with goons to shoot and lob teargas at worshipers in ACK Witima church in Othaya.

They threatened nationwide mass action if demands are not met.

The Opposition leaders led by the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) Martha Karua (People Liberation Party) Justin Muturi (Democratic Party) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya) claimed police officers were deployed from from Buruburu and Makandara police stations in Nairobi and were drawn from a special police unit named ‘Sierra’.

The Opposition leaders stressed that the persistent failure by the National Police Service, the Inspector-General, and the National Security Council to investigate, prevent, or prosecute acts of goonism constituted ‘a grave dereliction of constitutional duty and raises serious concerns of institutional complicity.

“We shall be back to the IG’s office in two weeks to receive feedback on whether the police officers who wreaked havoc to the worshippers have been prosecuted, if that will not have been done, we shall summon our supporters across the country to embark on protests to demand removal of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen with Kanja and his two deputies,” Kalonzo said after meeting the police boss.

At the same time, the Opposition called for investigations into the 23 incidents where Gachagua had been attacked by the police officers accusing the National Police Service of participating in acts of lawlessness.

“We demand that you immediately institute independent, impartial, and comprehensive investigations into all the incidents outlined herein, suspend and prosecute all officers and civilians implicated, take urgent measures to guarantee the personal safety and constitutional rights of the Second Deputy President, his family, supporters, and members of the public; and restore public confidence in the national security system through demonstrable adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law,” the Opposition leaders said.

 The 23 incidents highlighted by the Opposition included Witima church ACK attack on Sunday, the disruption of a church service at AIPCA Kiamworia on January 11, the attack on Gachagua's convoy at Sagana on January 9, disruption of Gachagua's rally in Nyeri on January 8, and the blockage of Gachagua’s entry in Narok by police on November 24.

“On November 30, police and goons stormed PCEA church in Kariobangi and disrupted the service, while on July 20, in Subukia, Gachagua and his supporters were attacked by police using live ammunition. On July 27 2025 at Kinyona, Murang'a, his supporters and elected leaders were attacked by goons backed by police and on August 21 Gachagua was attacked upon his return from The US.

“These attacks have occurred across multiple counties, often in the presence of police officers, and in several instances with the apparent participation, facilitation, or acquiescence of officers of the National Police Service. Despite extensive public documentation and identification of alleged perpetrators, there has been a conspicuous failure to conduct credible investigations or institute prosecutions,” the Opposition leaders maintained.

Karua warned that if the Inspector General does not take action, they will escalate the matter to the international community and the country’s development partners.

“Police officers must get out of the electoral matters as they should never take partisan political stands; they must get out of goonism and go back to their mandate of maintaining law and order. The IG must rise to his constitutional duty and understand that Kenya is governed by the rule of law,” she said.

On his part, Gachagua reiterated that the attacks to his political gatherings was an attempt on his life and blamed President William Ruto of weaponizing the police service to play politics.

“Ruto is the biggest existential threat to democracy. If the planners of the Othaya church attack are not arrested in two weeks, Kenyans will come out in large numbers to demand the removal of the police bosses and Kipchumba Murkomen,” Gachagua said.

He added, “We cannot live in a Nation of impunity in a nation our forefathers founded. The culture of impunity and goonism has no place in a civilized society. Injustice to any Kenyan, irrespective of their creed, belief, tribe, or color, is a threat to our progressive constitution of Kenya 2010.”

Gachagua said he will be going back to Othaya on Sunday as he announced the resumption of political activities.

The Opposition also demanded that Parliament discharge its constitutional oversight mandate and hold the National Security Council accountable, including through the imposition of sanctions where warranted.

The Opposition leaders met Kanja and his two deputies, Gilbert Masengeli and Eliud Lagat who urged them to provide their itinerary to the Service for protection.

After their meeting, the leaders spread their Wantam gospel in Wakulima market in Nairobi.