President William Ruto has drawn a line in the sand, warning opposition leaders that the sanctity of the pulpit will not be violated by political warfare.

In a direct response to threats of nationwide protests, the President has told his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and his allies to stop using churches as theatres of violence. The warning follows a chaotic scene at a church in Othaya, Nyeri, where Gachagua was teargassed by police—an incident that has sparked fury in the Mount Kenya region and led to an ultimatum for mass demonstrations.

The Othaya Flashpoint

Gachagua’s camp has demanded the arrest of the police officers involved in the Othaya incident by February 16, threatening to unleash "unprecedented" protests if their demands are not met. They claim the teargassing was an assassination attempt by a covert unit.

• The President’s Stance: Speaking at a service, Ruto ignored the specific ultimatum but addressed the principle. "The altar is a place of respect," he declared. "We must not politicize it or use it to spread hate."
• The Economy Card: Ruto also pivoted to his standard defense, warning that protests would derail the economic recovery. He urged the youth not to be used as pawns in political score-settling.

A Nation Holding Its Breath

The standoff represents a dangerous escalation in the feud between the President and his ousted deputy. With the February 16 deadline looming, the church—traditionally a place of refuge—has become the center of a high-stakes political chess game.

"If you want a conversation, we can have it," Ruto said, "but not through anarchy." The question now is whether the opposition will take the olive branch or the streets.