MOMBASA County—Jan 26, 2026—Religious leaders and human rights activists have condemned the disruption of a church service at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, warning that such incidents risk pushing the country towards instability ahead of the 2027 general election.
On Monday, rights groups in Mombasa joined clerics in denouncing the Sunday incident, where security officers lobbed teargas canisters into the church during a service attended by several political leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The human rights defenders, drawn from Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), Vocal Africa and She Rises, said the incident had heightened fear among Kenyans and evoked painful memories of the 2007/2008 post-election violence, which left more than 1,000 people dead and thousands displaced.
Addressing the media in Mombasa, MUHURI Director Khelef Khalifa said such actions were not new and warned that the misuse of security agencies could plunge the country back into chaos.
“It is clear that the Ruto regime wants to take us back to the sad moments of 2007 and 2008, where Kenyans killed each other at the expense of greedy politicians,” Khalifa said.
He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and resist political incitement, warning against leaders who “watch silently as congregants are smoked out of a church with teargas canisters.”
“We are heading towards the 2027 general election and the situation is volatile. Our leaders should stop misusing security agencies for their selfish political gains,” he added.
Khalifa’s sentiments were echoed by Bishop Melkizedeck Anyumba of the Pentecostal churches in Mombasa County, who said places of worship must remain sanctuaries free from violence and intimidation.
“Churches are holy places where anyone can go to pray. No politician is barred from attending a church service,” Bishop Anyumba said.
He questioned the justification for the heavy police presence at the church, noting that there had been no reported security threat.
“What were the police doing at the church? Why did they hurl teargas canisters? Who were they fighting inside a place of worship?” he posed.
A Muslim cleric, Jambein Alimohamad of Saalam Mosque in Bondeni, Mombasa Island, also cautioned security agencies against actions that could heighten political tension ahead of the polls.
Addressing the same gathering, She Rises Executive Director Salma Hemed said the incident had adversely affected women and children who were attending the church service. She said the use of teargas in a place of worship was unnecessary and amounted to a violation of constitutional rights.
“The Constitution is clear on the freedom of worship. Nowhere does it state that politicians are barred from attending church services,” Hemed said.
She warned that failure to rein in such actions would leave the country volatile and citizens living in fear as elections approach.
On Sunday, security agents disrupted a service at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where congregants had gathered for worship. Police officers hurled teargas canisters into the church, forcing worshippers to flee for safety.
The incident has since sparked national outrage, with calls for accountability and restraint by security agencies.
