Opposition leaders have vowed to take legal action against the government after claiming police officers blocked them from attending a church service in Meru County on Sunday.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the opposition coalition – now calling itself the United Alternative Government – would pursue constitutional and legal avenues following what they termed an unlawful move to bar them from worship at the Methodist Church of Kenya (MCK) Kaaga Church.
The leaders had planned to attend the induction ceremony of Bishop Muthuia Mwiti but were allegedly denied entry by police officers.
“This morning, the United Alternative Government was denied the opportunity to worship at Methodist Church of Kenya Kaaga Church and to witness the induction of Bishop Muthuia Mwiti,” Kalonzo said.
“The police, acting under direct instructions from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, physically blocked our entry.”
Kalonzo read a joint statement on behalf of the opposition on Sunday during a church service at East Africa Pentecostal Church in Njotene Parish, Buuri Constituency, where the leaders later worshipped after being turned away.
The former Vice President was accompanied by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, as well as several senators, MPs and MCAs.
Kalonzo described the incident as a violation of constitutional rights, citing provisions that guarantee freedom of worship and assembly.
“Article 32 of our Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the freedom of conscience, religion, belief and opinion. Article 36 guarantees freedom of association while Article 37 guarantees the right to assemble,” he said.
“When Kindiki directs the police to stop Kenyan citizens from entering a place of worship, he is not enforcing the law, he is breaking it.”
He insisted the opposition had no dispute with the Methodist Church but with what he termed political interference by the government.
“We wish the MCK Kaaga faithful God’s richest blessings and we hold no grievance against the congregation, the clergy or the Methodist Church Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
“Our dispute is with those who wielded political power to close the doors.”
Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi criticized the heavy police deployment, saying security officers should instead focus on tackling insecurity in the region.
“We have over the years experienced cases of cattle theft in parts of Meru County and police have failed to curb the vice,” said Muturi, a former Public Service Cabinet Secretary and former Attorney General.
“But today a contingent of police officers who outnumbered worshippers was deployed to block us from attending a church service.”
Muturi accused President William Ruto of turning against leaders who supported him during the 2022 elections.
“Ruto is harassing the same leaders who assisted him during the 2022 campaigns to win and clinch the presidency,” he said.
“He has made history as President for curtailing leaders from attending a church service.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also condemned the police presence, saying places of worship should remain neutral spaces.
“A church is a sanctuary where the faithful go to worship God. There is no need to deploy all those police officers who should be responsible for curbing crime and protecting citizens,” Gachagua said.
He warned against the use of security agencies to intimidate political opponents.
“When you find yourself using the police to rule, then your era has come to an end,” he said.
Gachagua also urged leaders to stop attempts to divide the Mt Kenya region politically.
“The mountain is one. Our vote is only meaningful when it is one,” he said.
The opposition leaders insisted they would continue mobilizing their supporters across the country despite what they described as growing political pressure from the government.
