The sanctity of the pulpit has been violated, and the former Deputy President believes it was no accident. Rigathi Gachagua has sensationally claimed that the teargas attack at an Othaya church was a calculated "assassination attempt" orchestrated by state operatives.

Sunday service at the AIPCA Church in Nyeri turned into a scene of pandemonium as canisters exploded mid-sermon, sending worshippers—including the elderly and children—scrambling for safety. For Gachagua, who was the guest of honor, this was not just crowd control; it was a targeted strike aimed at "eliminating" him from the political equation.

"They Came for Me"

Emerging from the smoke, a visibly shaken but defiant Gachagua addressed his supporters. "This was not about an illegal gathering," he thundered. "This was an attempt on my life. They know I am the obstacle to their plans in Mt. Kenya, and they want me gone."

• The Suspects: Witnesses described seeing men in plain clothes, suspected to be police officers, lobbing the canisters through the church windows before speeding off in unmarked vehicles.
• The Pattern: This incident marks the third time in a month that Gachagua’s rallies have been disrupted, but the first time violence has entered the church.
• The Reaction: Religious leaders across the region have condemned the act as sacrilegious. "Even in war, the church is a sanctuary," said Bishop Maina. "Today, the government has crossed a red line."

The Mountain is Watching

The attack has poured gasoline on the smoldering resentment in the region. Supporters see Gachagua not just as a leader, but as a martyr being persecuted by the very government he helped install. The narrative of "betrayal" is now being written in teargas smoke.

"If they think this will scare us, they are mistaken," Gachagua vowed. "We will pray, and we will fight." As investigations—or cover-ups—begin, Othaya remains on edge.