The sanctuary has become a battlefield. Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has unleashed a scathing attack on the government following the teargassing of congregants at the Witima ACK Church in Othaya, terming it a "direct assault on the Constitution."

The incident, which saw former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and worshippers scampering for safety amidst clouds of stinging gas, has sparked a national outcry. Kioni, known for not mincing his words, warned that the state is crossing a dangerous red line by bringing political violence into the House of God.

"Intolerance Has Peaked"

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Kioni framed the attack not just as a political skirmish, but as a violation of the fundamental right to worship. "This is an attack on innocent worshippers and the sanctity of the church," he declared.

• The Incident: Chaos erupted during a service attended by Gachagua, with police firing teargas to disperse what they termed an "illegal gathering."
• The Implications: Kioni warned that normalizing violence in holy places risks eroding the country’s moral and constitutional order.
• The Alliance: Kioni’s defense of Gachagua signals the strengthening of the Mt. Kenya opposition bloc, united by a sense of persecution by the current regime.

A History of Violence

The image of elderly women choking on teargas in a church pew is a PR nightmare for the administration. It recalls the dark days of the one-party state, a comparison Kioni was keen to draw.

"If they can gas the church, they can gas your bedroom," seems to be the message. As the political temperature in Central Kenya hits the boiling point, the church has once again found itself in the crossfire.