KNCHR, NCCK condemn teargas incident at Othaya church

By Newsflash Writer

Human rights defenders and church leaders have strongly condemned an incident in which police allegedly lobbed tear gas during a Sunday service at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was among congregants.

In a statement released on Monday, January 26, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) expressed shock and outrage over what it described as a brutal and unjustified attack on worshippers.

The commission said officers reportedly fired tear gas inside the church despite the presence of children, elderly people and other vulnerable congregants, terming the action excessive, indiscriminate and unlawful. It also raised concern that some officers were allegedly hooded, contrary to court orders requiring police to remain identifiable while on duty.

Troubling trend

KNCHR said the incident reflected a troubling trend of politically linked violence spilling into places of worship, warning that such actions threaten national cohesion and democratic stability, especially as the country moves closer to an election period. According to the commission, the use of tear gas in a confined sacred space violated the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality that govern the use of force.

Speaking through its Chairperson Claris Ogangah, the commission said the events marked a low point for the country’s human rights record.

NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui. Photo I File

“A place of worship should be a sanctuary of peace and safety, not a scene of panic and suffering. Those responsible must be held to account, and clear safeguards put in place to ensure this never happens again,” she said.

The commission further argued that several constitutional rights were breached, including freedom of worship, assembly and security of the person. It faulted the State for failing in its duty to protect fundamental freedoms and accused the National Police Service of acting in direct contradiction to its constitutional human rights obligations. KNCHR called for swift investigations by the Internal Affairs Unit and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, suspension of culpable officers, possible prosecutions, and a public apology to affected worshippers.

NCCK condemns attack on sacred space

On its part, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), through a joint statement by Chairperson Rev. Elias Otieno Agola and Secretary-General Canon Chris Kinyanjui, condemned the incident as a serious violation of the sanctity of worship and a worrying sign of rising political intolerance.

“A church is a sacred refuge where Kenyans seek spiritual nourishment, hope and unity. Turning such a space into a theatre of force is both unacceptable and deeply distressing,” the church leaders said.

They warned that the use of police force in a church setting risks spreading fear among worshippers and undermining the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.

“No Kenyan should feel unsafe while at prayer. Security agencies must exercise restraint and uphold the dignity and rights of all citizens, regardless of the prevailing political climate,” they added.

NCCK also urged political actors to keep places of worship out of partisan conflict, stressing that churches must remain neutral spaces open to all. The council appealed for swift accountability and concrete measures to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.

Both KNCHR and NCCK said the incident underscores the urgent need to protect civic and religious spaces from political conflict.

They called for transparent investigations, respect for human rights, and firm action against any individuals found responsible, insisting that accountability is essential to restoring public confidence and upholding the rule of law.