Chaos erupted at Witima Anglican Church of Kenya in Othaya, Nyeri County, on January 25, 2026, when suspected plain-clothes police officers lobbed teargas into a congregation, causing hundreds of faithful to choke. The incident, which former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claims was an assassination attempt, also led to a vehicle being torched and others vandalised.

• The attack targeted Rigathi Gachagua and his allies during a church service.
• Assailants, some reportedly firing AK-47 rifles, caused widespread panic.
• One of Gachagua's vehicles was torched, and others belonging to his allies were vandalised.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of allegedly orchestrating chaos at church services for political gain, aiming to discredit President William Ruto.

• Ruku claimed Gachagua stage-managed violence at a church service in Othaya, where police deployed teargas.
• He alleged that Gachagua often travels with armed individuals who instigate disturbances at events to portray himself as a victim of the Ruto administration.
• Ruku cited a similar incident during the Mbeere North by-election campaigns where a youth, Fredrick, allegedly suffered a broken leg during a church service Gachagua attended.
• CS Ruku affirmed that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the undisputed Mount Kenya political leader, providing strong leadership for the region.

During a church service in Witima Anglican Church of Kenya in Othaya, Nyeri County, suspected plain-clothes police officers launched a teargas attack on January 25, 2026. The incident, which Rigathi Gachagua claims was an assassination attempt, caused panic among hundreds of worshippers, including children.

• One of Gachagua's vehicles was torched, and others belonging to his allies were vandalized during the chaos.
• The attack reportedly involved armed assailants firing AK-47 rifles into the air.
• The target of the assault was former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies.