Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has strongly dismissed Rigathi Gachagua’s allegations that his office was involved in the chaos that broke out during the church service at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), associated Kindiki with the violent chaos that broke out at ACK Witima Church on Sunday, January 25, where church-goers, including children, scrambled as tear gas filled the compound. Cars belonging to Gachagua’s entourage were damaged, with one allegedly set on fire outside the church.
On Monday, January 26, Kindiki released a statement denying that any of his bodyguards or staff members were involved. Kindiki reacted to an online image shared by Gachagua, who alleged that it was of an officer who worked for Kindiki, saying, “Mr Gachagua, the image you have circled is not of any officer or staff attached to me. I don’t know who that is.”
Kindiki accused Gachagua and other opposition leaders of dragging his name into the incident for political mileage, saying the accusations were meant to ruin his reputation. “I know you are desperate to drag me into whatever way with the criminal act involving you yesterday. Unfortunately for you, this is not where to find me,” he said.
Kindiki reiterated his position against political violence, saying he supports leadership by dialogue and consensus as opposed to force, saying, “I condemn and will continue to condemn the retrogressive conduct of using violence to conduct politics.” He warned against the dangers of escalating tensions and called for those who sponsored and funded violence to be named and brought to book before the situation gets out of hand.
Gachagua had earlier said that a person from the Deputy President’s office was involved in the attack on the church and that live bullets were used, which has not been independently confirmed.