Kalonzo slams the government after the police attacked Gachagua in Nyeri church with tear gas

• On Sunday, January 25, police officers disrupted a church service attended by former vice president Rigathi Gachagua.
• Former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka together with several other opposition leaders strongly condemned the police action
• Gachagua accused President William Ruto of targeting him at the ACK Church in Witima, Othaya, claiming the aim was to cause murder

Nairobi – The leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front, Kalonzo Musyoka, has strongly condemned the government after the police disrupted a church service attended by the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

On Sunday, January 25, Gachagua and his associates were teargassed while attending a service at the ACK Church in Wairima in Othaya, Nyeri county.

Was Rigathi Gachagua attacked in Nyeri church?

Gachagua used social media to explain the ordeal, claiming that the government sent a force to attack them when they were inside the ACK Church in Wairima, Othaya.

“We are trapped inside the church, we are being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and my cars have been burned. We are asking Kenyans to pray for us so that we can get out alive,” wrote Gachagua.

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Through social media, Kalonzo condemned the incident saying that using the police to attack believers is a direct violation of the 2010 Constitution.

“I strongly condemn the brutal attack in the ACK Church of Witima in Othaya, where former vice president Rigathi Gachagua and his team, along with unarmed leaders and civilians, were trapped inside the house of worship while live bullets and tear gas were used and cars were burnt outside.

This is a serious and unacceptable violation of the Constitution and the rule of law. The church is a holy and protected place. The use of force against unarmed civilians in such circumstances is illegal and indefensible,” said Kalonzo.

How Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the attack on Gachagua

The former vice president said Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja will be held accountable if anything happens to Gachagua.

According to Kalonzo, the police do not have the authority to torture citizens inside the house of worship regardless of their political views.

“I hold the Inspector General of Police and all those involved fully responsible for the security of Rigathi Gachagua, his team, and all the citizens who were inside the church. No desire or political competition can ever justify intimidating citizens or attacking places of worship. Kenya must remain a constitutional democracy guided by the law, not violence, fear or disregard for the law,” he added.

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Nyeri: Gachagua and his associates were teargassed at a church in Othaya, a woman is determined

Former Kakamega senator, Cleophas Malala, also condemned the incident saying it was pure madness.

“When the madness of the entire government is disrupting the entire nation, it is not enough to say that the church needs to be prayed for healing. Why throw tear gas bombs at believers, including women and children?” Malala was shocked.

Did the police use live ammunition in the church in Nyeri?

As previously reported, a video recorded inside the church showed many worshipers apparently suffocating, while others covered themselves from the smoke.

In the video, the sounds of “shots” were heard from outside the building as people ran for safety.

The heavy smoke disturbed the service that was going on with joy and caused it to be stopped for a while, some believers ran to save themselves.

However, in the middle of the violence, a woman fainted near the altar, forcing some worshipers to rush her out so she could get emergency care.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke