Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy party leader and former senator for Kakamega, Cleophas Malala, has called on President William Ruto to stop being mum on the events that led to a church in Othaya on Sunday, January,25,2026 being teargassed by police to disperse worshippers.

Speaking at a local tv station on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Malala called on the president to speak out about the unfortunate incident, reminding him that he has a responsibility to ensure the protection of women and children, as well as the citizens of Kenya in general.

Malala urged Ruto to respond to this matter as he responds to other political matters, given the magnitude of the emotional trauma that the members of the church went through, insisting that he needs to sympathise with them as they need counselling.

“These acts cannot happen while the President says nothing. He is an ever-talking President. He responds to everything, even lazy statements from politicians. Yet, when it comes to the attack on the church and the children, he maintains complete silence,” Malala said.

Malala on ICC case

The former senator also noted that President Ruto had a case in the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding an attack on a church during the 2007 post-election violence, and therefore, he needs to speak against the matter, as this would pose a risk of the case being revived.

Malala has noted that the ICC case against Ruto was never withdrawn but rather suspended, urging the president to be cautious.

Malala’s sentiments have come days after the incident occurred at Witima ACK church, where, together with other DCP allied leaders, they had accompanied their party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, at a church event when police stormed the church, dispersing the gathering with teargas.

There has been a series of attacks in churches where members of the opposition have been forced to leave churches unceremoniously after being dispersed similarly by police using teargas and roadblocks.

The opposition has since called on the international community to intervene in the matter of police brutality against them.