Gachagua slams government over silence in minister’s killing

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the government’s quiet stance on the killing of PCEA minister Rev. Julius Ndumia, expressing alarm about the safety of church leaders and the nation’s security conditions.
Addressing mourners at Rev. Ndumia’s funeral service in Tetu, Nyeri, Gachagua wondered why prominent government figures, including the Inspector General, had not publicly commented on the issue despite the Presbyterian Church of East Africa being among the country’s largest religious organizations.
“The government’s silence on such matters is unacceptable,” Gachagua stated, noting how the church has significantly contributed to national progress through educational, healthcare, and social initiatives.
The former Deputy President directly challenged President William Ruto regarding the absence of public condemnation after the clergyman’s death.
“Where did your fondness for PCEA go? How is it that our minister has been murdered and you remain silent?” he questioned.
Gachagua also criticized Cabinet members, particularly those in the Interior Ministry, asserting that their quiet response had heightened unease within the church community and its congregation. He cautioned that without satisfactory responses, religious leaders might have to pursue accountability directly with security forces.
“If necessary, we will march to the Inspector General’s office to demand explanations,” he declared, emphasizing that both clergy and their families require protection and security guarantees.
He additionally urged Nakuru police to enhance their investigation into the homicide, directing them to examine CCTV footage reportedly taken in the vicinity. According to him, locals had mentioned the presence of surveillance recordings that could offer vital clues in solving the murder case.
Gachagua maintained that churches must always be secure environments, cautioning against a scenario where religious figures start living in fear.
Rev. Julius Ndumia, a clergy member at PCEA Tabuga Parish in Bahati, Nakuru County, was discovered dead at his home within the church premises on May 3, 2026. Investigators subsequently disclosed that he sustained serious head trauma and indications of strangulation during the assault.
The murder alarmed local residents and fellow church members, with a church security guard also sustaining severe injuries in the incident. Law enforcement authorities have apprehended two individuals as the investigation progresses.