Guns fired to disperse unruly youths at Gachagua’s church event in Kasarani
Several vehicles, including one belonging to Gachagua, had their windshields broken after being stoned during the standoff.
Gunshots rang out in Nairobi’s Kasarani estate on Sunday after security officers linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua fired into the air to disperse a group of youths attempting to disrupt a church service at PCEA Kasarani East Parish.
The incident, which occurred before Gachagua arrived at the venue, saw the group of youths charging towards the church’s gate.
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Videos seen by The Eastleigh Voice showed the officers firing in the air to repel the attackers, who allegedly demanded cash payments.
Some of the youths, clad in military fatigues, managed to break into the church, destroying chairs and causing chaos inside.
Several vehicles, including one belonging to Gachagua, had their windshields broken after being stoned during the standoff.
The Sunday church service was reportedly temporarily halted, with congregants fleeing for safety.
Images and videos from the scene showed the violent confrontation, with the agitated youths hurling insults and objects at Gachagua’s security.
“We have freedom of worship in Kenya, and the Constitution guarantees that you can visit any part of the country,” the presiding bishop of the church said, condemning the violence as an infringement on religious rights.
Despite the intense situation, there was no visible presence of the National Police Service (NPS) during or after the fracas, with only Gachagua’s security detail responding to the unrest.
The incident follows a similar disruption in Nyeri on March 23, when a group of individuals briefly blocked Gachagua from leaving the ACK Cathedral.
By publication time, the NPS had yet to release a statement on the Kasarani incident.
Gachagua is expected to address the congregation later, with speculations that his remarks may challenge recent statements made by President William Ruto during his tour of the Mt Kenya region.
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