Othaya church chaos: MP Wandeto says police actions crossed dangerous line
By Aloys Michael, January 26, 2026Tetu Member of Parliament (MP) Geoffrey Wandeto has condemned the violence witnessed at Wairima ACK Church in Othaya, saying police actions crossed a dangerous line and left innocent citizens exposed to harm.
This comes even as the opposition leaders continue to accuse President William Ruto’s administration of using violence to silence its critics.
In an interview on a local TV station on Monday, January 26, 2026, the legislator questioned why ordinary Kenyans were made to suffer over political differences.
“So it is clear this was done by the police. Kenyans can only defend themselves with their bare hands because they have no weapons, defend themselves,” Wandeto stated.
“The people who were inside the church had nothing to do with politics. 99 per cent of the poor have nothing to do with the political situation in the country.”
According to Wandeto, the presence of a few politicians could not justify what happened.
“The fact that a handful of leaders and politicians were in attendance does not justify harming the young children, the mothers and the destruction that we saw,” he said.
The MP has accused the government of lowering the country’s moral bar despite a firm campaign pledge by President William Ruto to keep the police from political scores.
Moreover, Wandeto has dismissed narratives blaming the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the violence, claiming that government-aligned bloggers were being used to shift blame
“This is the lowest that we can get as a country. It is unacceptable for a state that claims strong faith values to allow chaos in churches. You cannot attack the same places of worship,” he scoffed.
“This is the lowest that the President of the Republic of Kenya can go to allow this level of mayhem and anarchy. Use bloggers to create false narrations.”
While the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen ordered a swift probe, leaders have raised alarm over lapses of security and jolted the government in what they term as a pretence from the orchestrators of violence.
The chaotic scenes
The churchgoers were settled until teargas smoke suddenly sneaked into what was supposed to be a solemn ceremony, where the former deputy head of state was to address the congregants after the service.
Members began choking from the tear gas, forcing them to cover their mouths and eyes to reduce its impact. Some members were overwhelmed by the tear gas, with some fainting and first aid being administered to resuscitate them.
There was sudden jostling in the church as members sought shelter, with some requesting water to wash the affected eyes, while others were taken outside the building where the melee seemed to have emanated from.
The church service was forced to come to a standstill, and everyone began looking for a way out to get some fresh air.
The former Deputy President has since come out to condemn the act, pointing an accusing finger at the President for being behind the attack.
He said that the church was attacked, live bullets were fired at congregants, and his vehicles were torched.
“William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Witima ACK Church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and they torched my vehicles. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” he said.