Kenya’s ex-deputy president Rigathi Gachagua alleges assassination attempt in church attack

Prominent Kenyan opposition figure Rigathi Gachagua has alleged there was an attempt on his life during a Sunday church service.

Gachagua, who was sacked as deputy leaderin an impeachment trial in 2024, claimed in an interview with the The Mediathat rogue authoritiesofficers “shot at everybody and tear-gassed the church” in Othaya in the central county of Nyeri.

He had previously accused his former ally President William Ruto of ordering the strikebut did not provide any evidence. Ruto has not commented but administrationspokesperson Isaac Mwaura accused Gachagua of staging the attack.

The authorities statedan investigation had been launched, adding that no injuries had been reported.

Reports to the authoritiesindicated that a tear-gas canister had been thrown inside St Peters Anglican Church at 11:00 regionaltime (08:00 GMT) disrupting the service.

Several vehicles were reportedly damaged within the church compound, the authoritiesadded, appealing for witnesses.

Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the central Mount Kenya area and currentlya vocal critic of the president, statedhe was escorted to safety by his security team.

He had posted photos of the incident on X and alleged to the BBC’s Newsday programme that “armed authoritiesofficers with AK47s and tear gas descended on the church”.

Gachagua statedthat after he was helped to safety, the attackers set his car on fire and “mercilessly” beat up those gathered outside the church.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party leader statedhe has not announcedthe incident to the relevant authorities “because it is the authoritieswho attacked us. You cannot report the authoritiesto the police”.

On Monday, administrationspokesperson Isaac Mwaura statedGachagua had orchestrated the strikehimself.

“Those are staged-managed attacks to seek public sympathy and to whip up emotions,” Mwaura told the BBC.

In an earlier press conference, Gachagua dismissed these allegations, asking: “Where can we get access to tear gas?… Where do we get access to AK-47 assault rifles?”

Murkomen statedthe authoritieschief had promised him that the attackers would be brought to justice.

“Violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” the interior minister statedin a post on X.

“The authoritiesmust move without fear or favour and deal decisively with the sponsors and perpetrators of this act without regard to their status in society or political affiliation.”

According to Kenya’s constitution, Gachagua’s conviction by the senate means he cannot hold public office again.

He had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of which he was found guilty of five, including inciting ethnic divisions and violating his oath of office.

However the politician, popularly known as Riggy G, maintains he will be on the presidential ballot next year as he is appealing and the Supreme Court has not ruled on his impeachment.

Ruto and Gachagua were elected on a joint ticket in 2022 – and the partnership helped Ruto win by marshalling support in Mount Kenya, the heartland of the Kikuyu people who are the largest voting bloc in Kenya.