Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi has strongly denied claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he was behind the violent disruption of a church service in Othaya Constituency, Nyeri County, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Gachagua and several of his allies were attacked and teargassed during a service at Witima ACK Church by a group believed to have operated alongside police officers.
In the aftermath, the former Deputy President accused Wamumbi and his wife, Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, of orchestrating the incident.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, January 26, at his Mathira Constituency office, Wamumbi dismissed the accusations and instead alleged that the chaos had been stage-managed by individuals linked to Gachagua.
“This whole script had been arranged by Cleophas Malala,” Wamumbi claimed, referring to the former Kakamega Senator and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader.
He further alleged that Gachagua’s Personal Assistant, Munene wa Mumbi, played a role in planning the events at the church. Wamumbi also named a police constable he identified as William Karena Macharia, even citing a job number, and claimed the officer had previously been dismissed from the police service in 2023 over alleged misuse of a firearm.
“He was charged at Mavoko Law Courts. However, Rigathi Gachagua helped to get back to the service through the back door when he was Deputy President,” Wamumbi alleged, adding that the officer had since been used to cause disruptions.
The MP went on to link another individual, Samuel Kibeti, to the incident, claiming he is known in Murang’a for mobilising groups to attend Gachagua’s political events.
“There is also a man called Samuel Kibeti who is well known in Murang’a. He is the one who ferries goons from Murang’a,” Wamumbi alleged, further claiming that such individuals sometimes operate alongside rogue officers to create what he termed “staged mayhem.”
At the same time, Wamumbi defended his wife against the accusations, telling Gachagua to keep her out of political battles.
He maintained that neither he nor Betty Maina had any involvement in the church attack and called for investigations to establish the truth behind the dramatic scenes witnessed at the place of worship.
