Gachagua dismisses Murkomen’s call for probe after Othaya church attack
By Mustafa Juma, January 25, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rejected calls by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for an investigation into the chaotic incident at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Addressing the media at his Wamunyoro home on Sunday, January 25, 2026, after managing to escape the church attack, Gachagua questioned how Murkomen, or the police, could credibly investigate an attack in which, according to him, the police officers were part of the incident.
“I have heard Murkomen saying that the police are going to investigate the incident. How can Murkomen investigate himself?” Gachagua said.
Gachagua further claimed that the people who attacked him had been ferried from Murang’a in police vehicles.
Gachagua fingers Wamumbi
He also dragged Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi into the incident, claiming that the police and the goons that had attacked him had retreated to the lawmaker’s home for drinks and lunch.
He maintained that, based on the circumstances of the incident, Murkomen was just lying to Kenyans by saying that investigations were going to be conducted, arguing that the perpetrators of the chaos could not investigate themselves.
“These people came in police vehicles that ferried police and other goons from Murang’a. After the attack, the goons have retreated to MP Eric Wamumbi’s home in Kamunyaka, together with the police, where they are having lunch and drinks. So, Murkomen cannot tell the people of Kenya that they are going to investigate anything. The police cannot investigate themselves,” Gachagua said.
Murkomen orders probe
Gachagua’s remarks come after Murkomen announced the immediate launch of police investigations following a chaotic church service at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, which saw teargas deployed.
In a statement on Facebook on Sunday, December 25, 2026, Murkomen said he had noted the incident with great concern, emphasising that violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable.
He added that he had spoken with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who assured him that investigations are underway with urgency and that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Murkomen urged law enforcement to act without fear or favour and called on the public to remain calm while authorities address the matter. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the right to lawful assembly and freedom of worship.
Murkomen’s order came moments after former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i demanded an independent probe into the incident.