Teargas Lobbed at Nyeri Church; Gachagua Alleges Assassination Attempt, CS Ruku Claims It Was Staged - January 2026

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. The attack caused hundreds of worshippers, including children, to choke and created panic. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claims the incident was an assassination attempt meant to eliminate him. Following the teargas attack, a vehicle was torched and others were vandalised. In response, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku accused Gachagua of allegedly orchestrating the chaos himself for political gain, with the aim of discrediting President William Ruto.