Chaos as goons disrupt Gachagua church service in Kariobangi
Chaos erupted in Nairobi’s Kariobangi North Estate on today, November 30, 2025 when rival political groups clashed outside the PCEA Church where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attending service.
Goons attacked worshipers where Gachagua was leading leaders during a thanksgiving service of the newly elected Kariobangi Member of County Assembly (MCA) David Warui of DCP party.
The violence reportedly began when a group of youths, alleged to have been sponsored to disrupt the event, confronted another faction believed to support Gachagua.
The confrontation unfolded just minutes before noon, with tensions rising mere meters from the church entrance.
Police officers, already on high alert, quickly intervened to disperse the rival groups who had blocked the main road leading to the church.
Officers fired shots into the air and deployed tear gas in an effort to restore order. Footage from the scene showed residents and passersby scrambling for safety as the chaos spilled into nearby businesses.
The church service was briefly interrupted for about five minutes as congregants struggled with tear gas fumes. Many covered their noses with handkerchiefs while Gachagua’s ally, Embakasi Central Member of Parliament Benjamin Mejjadonk, continued his speech inside the church.
No serious injuries were reported, but the police maintained a heavy presence to ensure the service could proceed without further disruptions.
Commenting on the incident, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) accused government operatives for allegedly orchestrating the violent incident.
He alleged that they organised goons to attack congregants inside the church, with the invasion marked by stone-throwing and chaos.
Police reportedly kept off during the assault, while outside the church, officers lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd. A few minutes later, tear gas was also lobbed inside the church, which was filled with women and children.
Gachagua criticised the use of goons and heavy-handed tactics to disrupt religious gatherings, stating that such actions only alienate the public further.
“The more President Ruto relies on police and goons to harass and intimidate people, the more they drift away from him,” he emphasized.
He pointed to the recent Kariobangi North by-elections as evidence of this distancing, noting that the UDA candidate finished fourth, while the DCP candidate emerged victorious.
Gachagua asserted that this was just the beginning, and that his party would secure the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections.
Nevertheless, he urged his supporters not to be cowed by these acts of harassment, emphasizing that their resilience remains vital. He described the government’s actions as a sign of desperation.
The former Deputy President was accompanied by Nairobi leaders and other national figures, including Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and several other leaders.
