On Monday, January 27, newspapers reported on the impact and investigation of violence at the Witima ACK church in Othaya, Nyeri County, during a service attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, which has raised fears of increased political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
1. Daily Nation
The newspaper reports that anger is rising after a new attack on the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua in Witima ACK church, Othaya, Nyeri County, an event that has raised fears of an increase in political violence before the 2027 elections.
Churches, opposition leaders and civil society groups have demanded clarification on what they describe as repeated attacks and rumors of police cooperation.
The attack, which confused worshipers after tear gas was thrown into the church and cars were vandalized, is part of a disturbing sequence.
In the past year, Gachagua has survived more than ten attacks across the country, but none have led to convictions, fueling allegations of impunity and political complacency within the security agencies.
Also read
Kenyans Remember Gachagua’s Movement During the Resolution Protest after the Othaya Attack
Church leaders have condemned the incident, which the Kenya Council of Churches says is against the law and the constitution, blaming the police for dealing badly with believers and holy places without accountability.
The Archbishop of ACK, Jackson Ole Sapit, said the violence destroyed the place of peace, while Bishop Gerald Murithi denied the allegations of staged attack, blaming the police officers for persecuting the believers using government resources.
Even when they were angry, Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi claimed that Gachagua planned the violence to gain public sympathy, a claim that has not stopped the tension.
Opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and George Natembeya, said that unrestrained violence could push the country into instability.
President William Ruto he has repeatedly ordered security forces to crack down on political vandalism, but critics say attacks continue unabated.
IPOA has also blamed the police for mishandling previous incidents, citing inattention and poor accountability.
2. Nation Today
Kiswahili magazine reports that the National Treasury is considering major changes in social protection policies by proposing to lower the eligibility age for the Inua Jamii program from 70 to 60 years. The proposal is in the draft of the 2026 Budget Policy Statement and follows pressure from the National Assembly, which questioned why the threshold set is above the country’s average life expectancy of 68 years. Finance Minister John Mbadi said that social security networks are still fundamental of government policies, aimed at reducing poverty and protecting economically disadvantaged groups. He noted that the Government is committed to expanding and strengthening these programs to reach more vulnerable citizens. However, lawmakers have expressed concern about funding gaps that could jeopardize the continuation of the program. The Parliamentary Labor and Social Protection Committee has warned that the elderly, orphans, children at risk and people with severe disabilities may miss their monthly payments starting this month if the Treasury does not release KSh16.958 billion more in the Supplementary Budget II. According to the committee, the gap occurred after President William Ruto ordered the expansion of the Inua Jamii program. Currently, eligible seniors receive KSh2,000 per month, in addition to the support provided to other vulnerable groups. In 2023, Ruto ordered the enrollment of 500,000 more beneficiaries, noting the need to protect households from poverty and economic shock.
3. The Standard The newspaper reports that a new dispute has arisen regarding the position of Murang’a women’s representative Betty Maina and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi in relation to the attacks on former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua. The two representatives, who are married, have often been mentioned in connection with the violence, but have not given a statement to the police nor have they been officially called to assist in the investigation. Gachagua has again raised allegations against the pair, saying they were related to several incidents, including the attack on the Witima ACK church in Othaya, where worshippers, including women and children, suffered. He claimed that terrorists related to the two leaders, as well as unscrupulous police officers, were sent to destroy worship in what he called an attempt to kill him. The allegations have raised doubts about the presence of Maina and Mumbis close to President William Ruto and their influence in Mt Kenya politics, especially after the clash between Ruto and Gachagua. Maina and the Mumbis have denied Gachagua’s claims as political tricks. Maina said Gachagua is planning violence and implicates him for no reason, promising to pursue a defamation case. “The former deputy president attended ACK Othaya. Seven minutes later, he was attacked. Instead of seeking safety, they locked themselves inside the church, not knowing if the enemy was among them. Then they called the police and spread false information on the internet that he was captured,” he said. Wamumbi said he would write a statement to the DCI, claiming to have evidence implicating Gachagua’s associates in planning the violence. “I have WhatsApp chats and phone records of three Gachagua associates planning to buy spears for violence in Mbeere North. That is what I will present to the DCI when I write my report,” said the first-term Member of Parliament.
4. The Star The newspaper reports that the leader of the Wiper party, Kalonzo Musyoka, is quietly building a political machine for the possibility of fighting President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Witnesses say that the former Vice President has adopted a silent strategy, creating structures, networks and resources away from the public eye to surprise opponents. After being approved as Wiper’s presidential candidate at the party’s national congress last October, Kalonzo has turned from his longtime support role to a full-fledged presidential campaign. Sources indicate that he has hired a top team of local and international academics, including lawyers, economists, data analysts and communication experts, some of whom participated in Raila Odinga’s 2022 campaign. Their job is to analyze politics, create messages, control attacks and direct daily decisions. The Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Center in Karen, Nairobi, is the hub of the campaign, housing the strategy, engagement, communications and distribution departments. Wiper has also launched SKM TV, an online platform that aims to control information and bypass traditional media, while building small stations across the country to reduce risk. Likewise, Kalonzo is building a campaign fund, continuing to meet with potential donors as he prepares to compete with a government with abundant resources. At the grassroots level, Wiper has increased the recruitment of members outside of Ukambani to remove the regional image. Politically, Kalonzo reaches out to some important leaders, including the former President Uhuru KenyattaODM leaders and other opposition players, talking about strategic cooperation before 2027.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
