Mt Kenya politics marred by claims of police misuse, forced transfers

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that the Othaya church incident was not random violence but a deliberate, State-sanctioned operation involving the police. [File, Standard].

Claims of misuse and politically driven transfers of police officers have moved to the centre of an escalating power struggle in the Mt Kenya region as violence linked to political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections continues to spread.

The latest flashpoint occurred on Sunday at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where teargas was lobbed during a service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, injuring congregants and triggering national outrage.