Why Othaya church incident is a political flashpoint in Kenya

A tear-gas incident that disrupted a Sunday church service attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in Othaya, Nyeri County, has quickly become more than a security story fueling a public confrontation over policing, political power, and the country’s next election cycle as reported by BBC News.

What is known so far

According to the report, police received information that a tear-gas canister was thrown inside St Peters Anglican Church at about 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT), disrupting the service. Police said an investigation had been launched, that no injuries were reported, and that several vehicles were damaged within the church compound. They also appealed for witnesses.

Gachagua, now an opposition figure after his 2024 impeachment, said he was escorted to safety by his security team. He later shared photos of the incident on X and rejected claims circulating online that the disruption was staged.

Competing claims, and why they matter

Gachagua alleged without providing evidence that the attack involved “rogue police officers” and accused President William Ruto, his former ally, of ordering it. The president has not publicly commented on the allegation in the report.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence and said police must act decisively against those responsible, calling violence in a place of worship unacceptable.

This mix serious allegations from a high-profile opposition leader, an active police probe, and a government condemnation has turned the incident into a political test case: not only about what happened in Othaya, but about the credibility and independence of security agencies in a polarized environment.

Why this incident becomes a national flashpoint

1) It happened in a church, a politically sensitive space.

In Kenya, church events often attract political leaders and large public gatherings. Any violence or disruption in a place of worship can rapidly escalate into a national debate about rights, public order, and accountability.

2) It lands in the middle of a bitter elite fallout.

Gachagua and Ruto were elected together in 2022, but the relationship fractured publicly before Gachagua’s impeachment in 2024. That split matters because Gachagua remains influential in the Mount Kenya region meaning a security incident involving him is read politically by supporters and opponents alike.

3) The impeachment backstory raises the stakes.

Kenya’s parliament has documented that the Senate vote removed Gachagua from office on five grounds, in a process described as historic. The report notes constitutional implications around eligibility for future office, while Gachagua maintains he can still run as he pursues appeals. That legal-political uncertainty makes any confrontation around him instantly consequential.

4) It pressures the state to demonstrate impartial enforcement.

The police investigation now carries heightened public expectations: that findings are credible, that witnesses are protected, and that any suspects regardless of status are handled transparently. The constitutional framework for executive accountability and impeachment is also part of the wider context shaping public scrutiny.

What to watch next

• Police updates on how the tear gas entered the church and who was responsible

• Any public response from the presidency addressing Gachagua’s allegation

• Whether the incident triggers additional political mobilization in Nyeri and the wider Mount Kenya region

• Any legal or parliamentary follow-through linked to the broader political dispute

 Source: BBC News.