Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Sending Killer Squad to Church in Deadly Tear Gas Attack
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of deploying a "killer squad" to target him during a Sunday church service that turned chaotic in Othaya, Nyeri County.
The incident unfolded at Wairima ACK Church, where Gachagua, now leading the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), had joined other opposition figures for worship. According to reports, police officers—some reportedly in plain clothes—fired tear gas canisters directly into the church premises and discharged live ammunition within the compound.
The assault created pandemonium: tear gas filled the sanctuary, forcing congregants to choke and scatter, while vehicles belonging to the group were set ablaze outside. Worshippers later recovered what they described as live bullets from the church grounds.
In a dramatic message amid the chaos, Gachagua claimed he and his allies were trapped inside the building under attack. He directly blamed President William Ruto, stating: “William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Wairima ACK church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and torched my vehicles.”
He went on to urge Kenyans to pray for their safety and framed the episode as part of a broader political persecution campaign against him.
This disruption echoes a similar confrontation two weeks earlier at another church in Gatundu South, where tear gas and clashes also marred a service attended by opposition members.
Details on any injuries, arrests, or the full extent of property damage remain unclear at this time, with no immediate official response from police or government sources addressing Gachagua's serious allegations of an assassination plot.
