Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned against political violence and gang activity following a violent incident at a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking in Mombasa on Monday, April 7, Murkomen reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding public spaces from criminals.
“Part of the reason why we are dealing with gangs is to make sure that there is no place in Kenya where we will allow any goons or gangs to invade any facility, whether it's a church, school, or a street. This country must be led by the rule of law," he stated.
Murkomen said the government would not tolerate any form of lawlessness regardless of political affiliation.
“Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. We cannot allow extrajudicial processes to continue in the country. We must remain a country of law and order, and we do not want to subscribe to any political side.
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"Our purpose is to ensure that everybody can exercise their rights freely across the country as long as they are conducting it peacefully,” he added.
The church service in Mwiki, Kasarani turned chaotic after unidentified individuals stormed the venue, disrupting the proceedings.
In the wake of the attack, Gachagua condemned the incident which he described as a targeted attempt to intimidate him.
He claimed that the disruption was politically motivated and linked the events directly to President William Ruto.
"Unfortunately, there are concerted efforts to curtail our freedom to move around the country and associate with like-minded people. I did not mind Ruto sending goons after me but in church? Surely? What has happened to you, Mr. President?" he questioned.
Gachagua further alleged that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja played a role in the incident, adding that the police were instructed to stand down during the incident.
"You don’t care anymore that, through Nairobi Governor Sakaja, you are sending goons to cause trouble in the church. That’s okay; you can continue. We are aware that the Deputy Inspector General instructed the police not to come," he added.
Economic advisor Moses Kuria is among government officials who condemned the chaos, criticizing the politicization of religious spaces.
"This is utterly ungodly. Leave your backward and primitive political wars out of places of worship. Today was AIPCA Kenol re-loaded. The lightning that will strike us is still loading. Pole sana Rigathi Gachagua," he said.
