The gloves are off. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has summarily dismissed calls by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen for an investigation into the Othaya church attack, characterizing the probe as a "charade" meant to cover up state-sponsored hooliganism.

Speaking moments after being evacuated from the teargas-filled Witima ACK Church, a defiant Gachagua accused the Ministry of Interior of orchestrating the chaos rather than preventing it. "Do not insult our intelligence," he told a crowd of supporters. "You cannot investigate yourself."

The Blame Game

CS Murkomen had earlier issued a statement condemning the violence and promising a "swift and impartial" inquiry. Gachagua, however, is having none of it. He argues that the police deployment was too coordinated to be accidental.

• The Accusation: Gachagua claims the disruption was a calculated move to silence his growing political momentum in the Mt. Kenya region.
• The Defense: Murkomen insists the police were acting on intelligence regarding a security breach, but has struggled to explain the use of excessive force in a place of worship.
• The Fallout: The incident has further widened the rift between Gachagua and his former boss, President Ruto, with Murkomen serving as the lightning rod for the former DP’s fury.

Politics of Intimidation

"We will not be cowed," Gachagua declared, wiping tears—induced by gas and emotion—from his eyes. By rejecting the probe, he is denying the state the opportunity to control the narrative.

The standoff sets the stage for a volatile week in Kenyan politics. If the church is no longer safe, the rules of engagement have fundamentally changed.