Gachagua Alleges Assassination Attempt in BBC Interview
Politics Updated: 18 March 2026 23:25 EAT
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua who is now a key opposition leader
Former Kenyan deputy president and opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua spoke to the BBC on Monday about a violent incident at a church service that he described as an attempted assassination.
Gachagua said the interview, conducted by BBC Swahili, was intended to clarify his account of the events that took place at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.
He alleged that armed police officers carrying rifles and tear-gas canisters stormed the church while worshippers were inside, forcing congregants to flee in panic.
Gachagua described the deployment as excessive force and claimed it was a politically motivated operation targeting him. He also said his vehicle was torched during or immediately after the incident.
He linked the alleged attack to broader issues of leadership, accountability, and rule of law in Kenya, asserting that political intimidation is on the rise and democratic freedoms are under threat.
Gachagua noted that he had not reported the incident to the National Police Service, citing concerns that some officers might have been involved in the operation.
Government officials denied the claims, describing them as politically motivated and saying parts of his narrative appeared exaggerated. They urged the public to await the results of ongoing investigations.
Police confirmed that tear gas had been used to disperse a disruptive situation at the church and that several vehicles were damaged, but no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
Interior Ministry officials condemned violence at any place of worship and pledged impartial investigations if wrongdoing is established.
Gachagua reaffirmed his intention to remain active in politics, despite being barred from holding public office following his 2024 impeachment, and indicated he might challenge the decision legally.
The interview underscores ongoing divisions in Kenya’s political landscape, with accusations of abuse of state institutions and political retaliation surfacing publicly.
Opposition figures have accused the government of suppressing dissent, while the executive has rejected the claims as attempts to gain political sympathy.
Analysts say Gachagua’s statements signal intensified political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, with former allies now positioned as rivals and both sides mobilising narratives for public support.
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FELIX MAKONA
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