The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed the arrest of seven individuals connected to the violent disturbances that rocked the Kariobangi North PCEA Church on Sunday, November 30. What was meant to be a solemn thanksgiving service quickly escalated into turmoil, forcing police officers to fire warning shots and deploy teargas in a place of worship.
According to the communiqué from NPS, the suspects — Charles Otieno Opiyo, Wilson Okoth alias M.C. Otieno, Michael Mutunga Kavulunze, Brian Omondi Odhiambo alias Bryo, Reggy Opiyo Otwole, Elisha Otieno Ochieng, and Gordon Odhiambo Onyango — were apprehended in the Lucky Summer area as part of an ongoing investigation into politically-linked incitement and public disorder.
Chaos in the House of Worship
During the service, attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and newly-elected Kariobangi North MCA David Warui, tensions soared when two rival youth factions began hurling accusations and verbal attacks at each other. Efforts by police officers to act as mediators failed, prompting the use of riot-control measures, including teargas — a move that has since sparked public criticism.
Churchgoers, including elderly congregants and children, were caught in the confusion, with many forced to evacuate the sanctuary to escape the choking fumes. Videos of coughing worshippers and overturned pews have circulated widely online, with many Kenyans calling the incident both disrespectful and deeply concerning.
Political Accusations and Fallout
Rigathi Gachagua did not mince words following the disruption. He accused President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of orchestrating the chaos by allegedly hiring goons and police personnel to sabotage the thanksgiving meeting.
His remarks have added a highly political layer to the investigation, reflecting ongoing fractures within Kenya’s political landscape — particularly between the former DP and current leadership.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, alongside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has launched an intensified probe into the chaos. Authorities are now investigating whether the disturbances were premeditated and politically motivated, or simply youthful flare-ups fueled by local rivalries.
Public Reaction and National Concern
Many Kenyans have expressed outrage at the idea of violence infiltrating a place of worship, especially during a thanksgiving ceremony. Religious leaders have urged restraint, respect for sacred spaces, and a return to civil political engagement.
Others are asking bigger questions:
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How did political rivalries find their way into the sanctity of a church?
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Were these youths mobilized, or did tensions spontaneously ignite?
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Will the investigation be conducted transparently and impartially?
Looking Ahead
As the legal process continues and suspects are interrogated, the Kariobangi incident will likely remain a point of national discussion. It serves as a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched Kenya’s political divisions are — and the urgent need for peaceful dialogue rather than confrontation.
