Opposition to Question Police Chief Over Church Attack Probes Monday

The United Opposition, led by DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, plans to visit the office of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Monday, February 16, regarding recent attacks at former DP’s events. During a church service in Roysambu on Sunday, February 15, Gachagua stated that opposition figures would visit IG Kanja’s office the following day to inquire about the progress of investigations into the latest attack at Witima Church in Othaya. The former DP accused the police chief of failing to expedite investigations in the incident, despite evidence linking some police officers to the attacks. “We want to know who attacked the church and why they have not been prosecuted. So tomorrow, we will go to the office to know why those who harmed women and children have not been arraigned,” Gachagua said on Sunday. This position follows two weeks after the United Opposition confronted Inspector General Kanja at Vigilant House in Nairobi regarding alleged threats facing opposition leaders and Kenyan citizens. Gachagua confirmed that the United Opposition had already discussed with Kanja issues concerning public safety, however, no immediate action is being taken. A church service that Gachagua attended in Othaya on Sunday, February 25, was disrupted after a teargas canister was thrown inside the premises, forcing the former DP and his allies to flee into the bushes. The incident has since led to a blame game between the opposition and the state, who, through the National Police Service, claimed Gachagua and his allies should have informed local authorities of their presence at a church function. Following the incident, Gachagua had initially vowed to call for protests on February 16 if no action was taken against… Just one week after the event, President William Ruto criticized the chaos experienced in Othaya, emphasizing that excessive force in the church is unacceptable. Without mentioning names, the President warned against an emerging trend of politicizing church events, reiterating that places of worship… “I want us to ask ourselves as Kenyans; we can practice politics, we can look for leadership, but when it comes to church, that should be a place of respect,” Ruto said. “Let us not bring politics, hatred, or chaos into churches. We want our churches to be a place of peace and seeking God. All of us, irrespective of who we are, must respect the place of God in our churches,” he added.