A church service in Gatundu South descended into chaos on Sunday, forcing police to lob teargas to disperse rival factions. The event, attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, turned into a battlefield as youths armed with stones and clubs clashed outside the venue, leaving several injured.

The arrest of 15 suspects has peeled back the curtain on the intensifying supremacy wars in Mt Kenya. Police reports indicate the youths were "mobilized from Nairobi" to heckle the former DP, a claim Gachagua’s allies have seized upon to accuse the state of sponsoring violence against him.

"They Were Hired to Humiliate Us"

"We know who sent them," Gachagua told the congregation after calm was restored. "It is shameful to bring violence to the House of God." The disruption is the latest in a series of security breaches at Gachagua’s public events, fueling his narrative of persecution.

• The Political Context: Gatundu South is the home turf of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. By holding a rally there, Gachagua was testing his influence in the heart of the region. The violent reception suggests that his bid to unite the Mountain faces fierce, organized resistance.
• Police Action: Kiambu County Commander Michael Muchiri confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects would be charged with unlawful assembly and incitement. "We will not allow politics to threaten public order," he warned.

A Warning Shot?

Analysts view the chaos as a warning shot from the establishment. With Gachagua rallying the region against the government’s tax policies, the use of "goons" signals that the political gloves are coming off. The church, once a sanctuary, has become the new frontline.