A disturbance at a church service in Nairobi’s Kariobangi North on Sunday has prompted a police investigation after groups of armed youths clashed inside the sanctuary, injuring six people and briefly halting a thanksgiving gathering held for a recently elected ward representative.
According to a statement from the National Police Service, officers stationed at the Kariobangi North PCEA Church observed a crowd of “rowdy youths,” some carrying crude weapons, attempting to force their way into the compound shortly before the end of the service, attended by DCP Leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies.
Reinforcements were called in as a second group of youths arrived, apparently intent on confronting the first group. The confrontation quickly escalated and spilled into the church, interrupting proceedings and sending congregants scrambling for safety.
Police confirmed that six individuals were injured and taken to hospital. Officials described the confrontation as appearing “both planned and premeditated,” an assessment that has added urgency to the ongoing investigations.
The Nairobi Regional Police Commander and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have been instructed to use all available resources to identify those responsible.
The police statement also pushed back against circulating claims that officers had hurled a tear gas canister inside the church. Leadership at the PCEA congregation reportedly told investigators that no such incident occurred. After a brief pause, the church resumed its service, which concluded without further incident at 2pm.
Authorities condemned the violence, calling the attack on a place of worship “callous” and unacceptable. The police urged political actors, youth groups and community leaders to exercise restraint, warning that the weaponisation of local rivalries threatens to undermine public safety.
Rigathi Gachagua accused the President William Ruto for allegedly mobilizing the goons.
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that Mr. William Ruto, is turning Kenya into a militia Country where women, children and churches have become his key targets of lethal attacks. For the record, Mr. William Ruto, sending goons and police to attack us at the PCEA church, Kariobangi North today, to punish the people of Kariobangi North for rejecting your UDA Candidate shows how desperate you are.”
Police say further arrests are expected once the investigation identifies the organisers and instigators behind the confrontation.
