Fresh twist in Mwiki church violence as police summon five MPs allied to Gachagua
The summonses were issued after preliminary investigations linked members of Gachagua’s team to a group that stormed the PCEA church grounds, throwing stones and causing panic as worshippers ran for cover.
Police have summoned at least five MPs allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following the violent disruption of a Sunday church service and fundraiser in Mwiki as questions emerged over the role of local law enforcement agents in preventing the chaos.
The summonses were issued after preliminary investigations linked members of Gachagua’s team to a group that stormed the PCEA church grounds, throwing stones and causing panic as worshippers ran for cover.
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PCEA elders have blamed officers at the Mwiki Police Station for failing to respond in time despite being alerted in advance that political leaders would be attending the event.
The altercation has sparked a war of words between Gachagua’s supporters and those aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration, with both camps accusing each other of fuelling the unrest.
On Sunday, accusations emerged that a Nairobi-based politician and state operatives may have paid a mob to disrupt Gachagua’s visit to the church.
The former Deputy President also pointed fingers at the police, alleging deliberate inaction even though the church is located just a short distance from Mwiki Police Station.
“It’s okay; we are aware that the Inspector General asked the police not to come, but a few police in plain clothes came and helped because there are some officers who were conscious, and they have the constitutional obligation to protect life and property,” Gachagua said.
Suspects released
In another twist, and as reported by the Daily Nation, five individuals who had been arrested after the incident were released on Monday without charge.
Twelve motorcycles that had been impounded at the scene were also returned to their owners, raising concerns over the seriousness of the investigations.
Among those summoned to record statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk, Roysambu MP Augustine Kamande, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu.
Gathiru, who spoke by phone to Daily Nation, said he had not received the summons but was willing to cooperate.
“I’m ready, but for now, I am yet to receive any summons. This is political propaganda, and they are trying to divert the attention. Even if it is for a political reason, you cannot mobilise them to come to church. But it is now catching up with them,” he said.
The confrontation led to property damage, including cars belonging to Gachagua and some MPs, which were hit by stones hurled by the attackers. A motorcycle allegedly used by some of the goons was also set ablaze during the fracas.
According to a security brief sent to Vigilance House and copied to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the violence began when a group of boda boda riders who had followed Gachagua’s convoy from Kangundo Road entered the church compound and began demanding cash from the leaders.
“Upon arrival at the church grounds, the motorcycle riders who were accompanying the politicians turned riotous demanding money from the politicians,” stated the police report.
Gunshots
Police said that as the situation worsened, security officers attached to the politicians fired in the air to try and disperse the crowd.
It was only after the gunshots that officers from the nearby Mwiki station responded.
Officers managed to arrest five suspects and temporarily impounded motorcycles, but the police report noted that many of the youths managed to flee before order was restored.
Meanwhile, the church leadership has raised concerns about the delayed police response despite having given a heads-up on Saturday.
A PCEA elder said that although they had no formal invitation list, they verbally informed officers about the possibility of Gachagua attending the service.
“We informed the police informally a day before, though by word of mouth since we were not sure of their attendance. We were not 100 per cent sure that he was coming…that is why we just informed the police verbally,” said the elder.
He said the incident could have escalated further had it not been for the bravery of the men in the congregation.
“We did not have any injury within our members. I would commend the men in the church who rose to the occasion to protect our women and children,” the elder told the Nation.
Reverend Simon Murigi Njaaga, who was leading the service, urged calm and reminded the congregation that the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship and movement.
“We have freedom of worship in this country, and we also have freedom of going anywhere because the constitution allows that. Even to those who are here, and I want to tell you that the law is clear, even to those who are trying to cause chaos here, there is freedom of worship. We have just come here to worship the Lord, irrespective of who is here. Political leaders are here with us, but they have freedom of worship,” he said.
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