Gachagua blames Ruto over Kariobangi North church teargas incident
By Kiprono Keileb, November 30, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a hard-hitting statement calling out President William Ruto for presiding over what he describes as increasing attacks on innocent worshippers, women, children and clergy, following chaos that broke out at PCEA Kariobangi North Church.
Gachagua shared the statement on his official Facebook account on Sunday, November 30, 2025, shortly after police fired teargas inside and outside the church during a thanksgiving service attended by him and other leaders, a morning that left children choking, congregants fleeing in panic, and, according to Gachagua, two supporters of the Democratic for the Citizens Party (DCP) with gunshot wounds.
The service had been organised to celebrate the victory of David Warui, the DCP candidate who won the Kariobangi North MCA seat in the Thursday, November 30, 2025, by-election held on Thursday.
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that William Ruto is turning Kenya into a militia country where women, children and churches have become his key targets of lethal attacks,” he said.
He called out the State for using force to punish residents who voted against the ruling party in the just concluded by-election.
“For the record, William Ruto, sending goons and police to attack us, the PCEA church, Kariobangi North, today, to punish the people of Kariobangi North for rejecting your UDA Candidate, shows how desperate you are,” he stated.
Gunshot injuries
Gachagua went on to state that two DCP supporters suffered gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
“Today, your police and goons opened fire and shot two DCP supporters who are now nursing serious gunshot wounds,” he said.
He further condemned the police for firing teargas inside a church, describing it as a violation of a sacred space.
“Directing police to throw tear gas in a church to harm the clergy, women and children is the lowest a leader can go,” he said.
The former Deputy President called out the government for crossing a moral line and expressed confidence that divine justice would prevail.
“You have desecrated the Altar and defiled a Holy Place, and for sure God will punish you,” he stated.
Gachagua added that the more the government resorts to violence, the more it fuels public resistance.
“Much as I appreciate your frustrations, the more you send goons and police to attack the public and their leaders, the more you harden their resolve against your unpopular leadership,” he said.