The Sunday incident involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at a Nairobi church has drawn scrutiny from political observers, with former Lake Victoria Basin Board (LVBC) chairman Odoyo Owidi questioning the official narrative and possible political motivations.
Owidi argued that the events outside the church may have been deliberately staged to generate public attention and sympathy for Gachagua.
In a statement shared on X, Owidi claimed that rival groups were allegedly mobilised near the church, prompting police intervention that included the deployment of tear gas.
He stressed that no tear gas was reportedly used inside the church, contrary to widespread social media reports showing worshippers covering their faces.
“Many, clearly with no gas effect, just to incite the public,” Owidi wrote, highlighting potential exaggeration in the coverage of the event.
The incident comes amid ongoing political tension in Kenya, where high-profile figures, including Gachagua, have increasingly faced scrutiny during public engagements.
Owidi contended that government forces would not deliberately target a church, noting that Gachagua has participated in previous public campaigns without facing similar interventions.
Eyewitness accounts from the church area described a tense but brief confrontation between groups outside the premises, though reports of injuries were limited.
Owidi framed the incident as part of a broader strategy that could benefit Gachagua politically.
“Politically motivated crimes are committed by those who stand to gain the most. Here it was RiggyG who stood to get political mileage,” he said.
The episode highlights the challenges of maintaining order during politically charged gatherings in Kenya, where rival factions often converge during elections and party activities.