Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has challenged President William Ruto to break his silence following a violent disruption of a church service in Othaya attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, an incident Maanzo termed "state-sponsored hooliganism."

The Sunday service descended into chaos when a group of youth, chanting pro-government slogans, stormed the venue, throwing stones and teargas canisters. Gachagua’s security detail was forced to whisk him away to safety, but the political damage was already done. The image of a former DP fleeing a church is a potent symbol of the fractured relationship between the Mountain and the State.

"Is This The Plan?"

"We saw the police stand by and watch as goons attacked a leader who helped put this government in power," Maanzo said in a press briefing at Parliament buildings. "President Ruto, your silence is loud. It is a tacit endorsement of this violence. Is this the plan for 2027? To bludgeon opponents into submission?"

Maanzo, a frequent critic of the administration, linked the Othaya attack to a broader pattern of intimidation targeting leaders who have fallen out of favor. He warned that normalizing political violence in religious sanctuaries is a dangerous escalation that could plunge the country into civil strife.

• The Mt. Kenya Revolt: The attack has galvanized Gachagua’s supporters, who see him as a martyr being persecuted by the system he helped build. Local leaders in Nyeri have threatened to "rethink" their loyalty to UDA.
• State Machinery: Maanzo questioned how the attackers obtained teargas, a restricted riot control agent. "Teargas is not bought in supermarkets. It comes from the police armory. Who signed it out?" he posed.
• Religious Leaders Speak: The clergy has condemned the desecration of the church, calling on the President to apologize and ensure the perpetrators are arrested.

A House Divided

The incident highlights the deep, irreparable cracks within the ruling coalition. With Gachagua now operating as a de facto opposition leader from within, the battle for the soul of the populous Mt. Kenya region has turned physical.

For Ruto, the challenge is immense. Condemning the attack risks alienating his hardline base; staying silent confirms Maanzo’s accusation of complicity. As 2027 looms, the gloves are not just off—they have been replaced with brass knuckles.