Democracy for the Citizens’ Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala has dismissed claims that the teargassing of party leader Rigathi Gachagua in Nyeri was stage-managed, accusing the government of orchestrating a misleading narrative to deflect responsibility.

Speaking on a local media station on Sunday, January 25, 2025, Malala stated that the allegation that the opposition had staged the incident defied logic, arguing that civilians could not have accessed the police equipment used during the chaos.

“Government has sponsored bloggers to perpetrate a narrative that we stage-managed this attack. Then you ask yourself, how then can we stage-manage such an act using police officers?” Malala stated.

Access to police equipment

He challenged those advancing the claims to explain how civilians could obtain tear gas or involve uniformed police officers in such an operation, insisting that the circumstances pointed to state involvement rather than political theatrics.

“Where do civilians get tear gas? Are tear gas sold in Gikomba? Are tear gas sold in Naivas? No,” he said.

Malala added that the competing narratives surrounding the incident were only reinforcing public perceptions of leadership failure, saying Kenyans were increasingly questioning the credibility of official explanations.

“And therefore, Kenyans are looking at such narratives and confirming to themselves that indeed, we have an incompetent leadership in this country,” he added.

Gachagua rejects claims

Earlier in the day, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also rejected claims that the incident had been staged, describing them as propaganda aimed at sanitising a violent disruption of a church service.

“I’ve seen a lot of nonsense by government bloggers trying to say that we can stage-manage our own attack,” Gachagua said, arguing that access to tear gas, assault rifles, police vehicles and uniforms was restricted to state agencies.

“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,” he stated.

Gachagua said the incident had left many citizens disturbed, particularly because it occurred in a place of worship.

“People are left in anguish, wondering why their own government can turn against the Church of Christ and its leaders,” he added.