Chaos erupted in Kariobangi North Estate, Nairobi, on Sunday, November 30, after two rival political groups clashed outside the PCEA church where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had gone for a worship service.
The confrontation began shortly before noon when a group of youths allegedly sponsored to disrupt the event confronted another faction believed to be supporters of Gachagua.
What started as verbal exchanges quickly escalated into a physical confrontation just meters from the church’s entrance.
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Police, who had been deployed around the area, moved in rapidly to contain the situation. Officers fired shots in the air and lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the rival groups, who had blocked the road leading to the church.
Footage from the scene showed residents scrambling for safety as tension spread through the estate and disrupted nearby businesses.
The fumes from the tear gas drifted into the church, interrupting the service for several minutes.
Congregants could be seen covering their faces with handkerchiefs as they struggled to cope with the gas during remarks made by Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Mejjadonk, a close ally of Gachagua.
Despite the disruption, authorities reported no serious injuries. A heavy police presence remained in the area as the service resumed and continued to its conclusion.
The clash comes just three days after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) secured a major political victory in Kariobangi North.
DCP candidate David Warui won the Member of County Assembly seat with 2,282 votes, defeating independent candidate Kimanzi John Katua, who garnered 1,956 votes.
Gachagua had attended the PCEA church for a Thanksgiving service in celebration of Warui’s victory when the violence broke out. The party has not issued an official statement on the incident.
Police Clarify Incident, Confirm Injuries
In a press statement, the National Police Service (NPS) acknowledged the Kariobangi North disturbance and termed it “regrettable,” stating that the clash erupted near the end of a thanksgiving service for a successful ward candidate following a recent by-election.
According to the NPS, two police officers on duty spotted a group of youths armed with crude weapons attempting to force their way into the church and immediately called for reinforcement. Shortly afterward, another youth group arrived, apparently to confront the first.
“Police moved in quickly to quell the escalating situation, which regrettably spilled into the church, temporarily disrupting the service,” the statement read.
Authorities confirmed that six individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital, noting that the disturbances appeared “both planned and premeditated.”
The Nairobi Regional Police Commander, alongside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has been directed to use all available resources to investigate the incident thoroughly.
The NPS also dismissed claims that officers intentionally threw a tear gas canister into the church.
“Church leadership have been contacted and have denied that this occurred. The service later resumed and concluded peacefully at 2:00 PM,” the clarification stated.
The police condemned the violence and called for restraint, emphasizing that places of worship are sanctuaries and should never become battlegrounds for political rivalry.