Chaos erupted yesterday at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Kasarani, Nairobi, when a group of goons disrupted a Sunday service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Amid the commotion, gunshots were heard as Gachagua’s security team dispersed the intruders, who had stormed the church allegedly demanding money. Order was, however, restored shortly, and the service resumed.

The former Deputy President’s vehicles were damaged in the melee.

Gachagua blamed President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for the attack.

He emphasised that Kenya is a country governed by the rule of law, and the Constitution grants citizens various freedoms, including the right to worship, associate, speak, and move freely.

Gachagua condemned what he described as efforts to curtail these freedoms.

“Even if you eliminate Gachagua, nothing will change. It will only complicate your politics more than it already is, and we have enough soldiers to carry on with the struggle.”

“I do not mind goons being sent everywhere if that is what the President has decided. But sending goons to church? What happened to you, Mr President? The people of the church prayed for you, yet you have now reached the point of sending goons to attack them?”

Gachagua also referenced past incidents where events he attended had been disrupted, including a funeral in Limuru in November last year, and incidents in Nyandarua in December and in Naivasha and Nyeri last week.

He further claimed that police officers had been instructed not to intervene to restore order at the church.

Gachagua said he had urged Mt Kenya residents to welcome the President during his recent tour of the region, and demanded that he too be allowed to visit any part of the country freely.

“Even if you want to pursue us, do not do it inside a church. We were seated there wondering why the President would go to such lengths to send goons to a church to attack leaders and Christians. But we are not surprised. If we are nobody in this country, why are you pursuing us? Leave us alone,” he said.

He added that such acts would not intimidate them, revealing plans to launch his party next month.

“I will not allow myself to be pushed into responding with violence, as that would provide an opportunity to delay elections,” Gachagua said.

Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, who was present, also blamed Ruto for the incident.

“He has come to pray, yet you are still following him. That is inhumane, Mr President. People may disagree, but we want to tell the former Deputy President that we are with him. You are not alone,” Malala said.

“We cannot get involved in such chaos. When Gachagua was being impeached, we had the capacity to demonstrate, but we chose peace. Gachagua has always called for peace. You can give people money and send the police away, but leadership comes from God,” he added.

The presiding pastor struggled to calm the congregation and condemned the acts of violence, describing it as unfortunate that such an incident occurred in a place of worship.

“I want to believe that in this country, we have the freedom to worship and to visit any part of the country, as the Constitution allows. According to our laws, no one is permitted to cause chaos. Anyone can worship wherever they feel comfortable,” the pastor said.

Other politicians who spoke during the service condemned the attack, stressing that the freedom to worship and assemble must always be respected.

Among them were legislators Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), Amos Mwago (Starehe), and Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu.

They called on the residents of Mt Kenya to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to divide them.