On January 25, a church service at St. Peter's ACK Church in Witima, Othaya, Nyeri County, was violently disrupted when a teargas canister was thrown inside the sanctuary. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in attendance during the service. This alarming incident, which resulted in multiple vehicles being damaged within the church compound, led to conflicting initial reports regarding injuries; while some sources stated no injuries were reported, others detailed congregants, including women and children, being injured, and Gachagua himself escaping through a fence with assistance from residents and clergy. Additionally, one of Gachagua's vehicles was reportedly torched, and others had their tires deflated.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through its President Faith Odhiambo, swiftly condemned the National Police Service (NPS) action, labeling it unconstitutional and a grave breach of fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms to worship, associate, and maintain human dignity.

Odhiambo critically noted that the indiscriminate use of violent force against church-going citizens, particularly children, offended every constitutional principle guiding the NPS. The LSK president urged the service to provide an immediate explanation for the disruption and outline steps it intends to take against the officers involved, warning that such incidents pose a damning threat to tolerance and cohesion as Kenya approaches its next election cycle. The organization further pledged to coordinate with advocates on the ground to document violations and determine if members of the public required legal support.

The National Police Service itself acknowledged the severity of the situation. Inspector General Douglas Kanja issued a statement describing the incident as "deeply regrettable" and "totally unacceptable," subsequently directing the Internal Affairs Unit to launch an urgent investigation. Kanja reaffirmed the NPS's unwavering commitment to the "inviolability of the Freedom of Worship," emphasizing that churches are "sanctuaries and have nothing to do with political differences or violence of whatever form or shape."

The service pledged to hold those found responsible to account, stating they would be "dealt with firmly and swiftly as per the law." Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen echoed this condemnation, stating that "violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable," and ordered police to accelerate investigations, promising that perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also weighed in on the issue, condemning violence in places of worship and cautioning political actors that using or staging violence risks replacing democratic competition with criminal behavior. He stressed that violence, regardless of whether it is organized by political opponents or staged for sympathy, is a criminal act that undermines democracy and violates constitutional freedoms of assembly and worship. Kindiki called for an impartial, non-politicized investigation into the planners, executors, and enablers of the aggression, to be followed by successful prosecution.

He advocated for democratic contest based on superior principles, ideas, and programs, stating that "politics organized around crude ethnic bigotry, violence, chest thumping and disruption belong to the Kenya of the past."

From his perspective, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged a series of government plots against his life and attempts to silence him since his ouster in October 2024. He specifically claimed that the Othaya church attack involved 15 police officers linked to rival politicians, questioning the credibility of any internal police investigation given the alleged involvement of officers. Gachagua also cited prior violent disruptions at his political gatherings, including claims that officers fired teargas and live rounds at his convoy in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, on January 10, forcing him to reroute. He further alleged receiving threatening messages and an attack on his wife’s prayer meeting at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri on January 18.

In a stark counter-narrative, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku accused Gachagua of allegedly stage-managing and sponsoring the church violence for political mileage, with the aim of garnering sympathy and portraying President William Ruto's administration in a negative light. Ruku claimed Gachagua consistently moves around with armed goons who instigate chaos at his rallies and church events, citing a similar pattern during the Mbeere North by-election campaigns where a youth allegedly sustained a broken leg during a church service Gachagua was attending.

The CS advised Kenyans to disregard Gachagua's claims of the government targeting opposition leaders, asserting that such incidents are "well-organised schemes tailored to portray him as a victim," but are in fact meant to incite Kenyans and cause disaffection against the Ruto administration. Ruku affirmed that the national government would not tolerate acts of hooliganism and lawlessness, reiterated that churches must be respected as sacred grounds, and asserted Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the 'undisputed' Mount Kenya political leader, advocating for regional unity and mutual respect. Chuka Igambang'ombe MP Patrick Munene echoed Ruku's sentiments, describing the Nyeri chaos as "well-scripted drama" by the Gachagua camp.