Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi has apologised to congregants and clergy of Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, following the chaotic incident that disrupted a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking in a video message shared via his official Facebook page on Monday, January 26, 2026, Sudi accused Gachagua and his allies of deliberately turning the church into a political theatre, claiming that they had staged the chaos.

Sudi argued that the church had thought it had invited worshippers and guests in good faith, only for events to unfold in an unexpected and distressing manner.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker placed blame squarely on Gachagua and his allies, accusing them of deliberately introducing political drama into a sacred space in order to attract sympathy.

“Nataka niombe msamaha kubwa sana kwa hiyo kanisa ya Othaya ya ACK kwa sababu mlipitia mambo ambayo hamkuwa mnatarajia. Mlifikiri mmealika waumini au wageni kanisani; hawa ni watu wa ajabu,” Sudi said.

Sudi calls out Gachagua

He further called out Gachagua and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, urging them to stop what he termed as political theatrics.

“Na nataka niambie Wamunyoro, please, usipeleke sarakasi kanisani. Wewe unajua vizuri sana sisi wengine tunafanya harambee kila Jumapili tukijenga kanisa, rais anafanya harambee zaidi ya tano kila Jumapili akijenga kanisa, lakini imefika mahali hata hauna mpaka; unapeleka drama na vipindi kanisani ukiwa na Malala,” Sudi remarked.

The MP also argued that political leaders regularly contribute to church fundraisers peacefully, noting that President William Ruto frequently attends multiple church harambees every Sunday without incident.

Moreover, Sudi accused Gachagua’s camp of attempting to blame the government to gain public sympathy, insisting that the strategy would not succeed.

“Yaani badala ya hata mngetafuta harambee ya wanafunzi wamelemewa or something na muende mkafanye drama kule, mmeenda kufanya drama kanisani alafu mnataka kublame serikali kwa sababu mnataka sympathy. Nataka niambie Wamunyoro na Malala, wacheni upuzi, mtafute sera,” Sudi said.

Gachagua dismisses stage-managing claims

Sudi’s remarks come hours after Gachagua accused specific individuals and police officers of violently attacking worshippers at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.

According to Gachagua, tear gas filled the church compound, people were injured, vehicles were damaged, and one of his own cars was set on fire. He pointed to a group that had gathered earlier that day.

“Today in Witima, ACK Church, a gang of about 15 police officers, rogue officers under the command of two bodyguards, belonging to the guard of a Woman Rep,” Gachagua said on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also dismissed claims of stage-managing the attack for public sympathy.

“I’ve seen a lot of nonsense by government bloggers trying to say that we can stage-manage our own attack. Where can we get access to tear gas? Is it sold in a supermarket or in Gikomba? Where do we get access to AK-47 assault rifles? Where do we get access to government land cruisers? Where do we get access to police uniforms? We can’t. And Kenyans are not foolish,” the former deputy president stated.