Churches now caught in political crossfire
With barely a year to the next General Election, churches are emerging as soft targets in Kenya’s simmering political tensions...
✨ Key Highlights
Churches in Kenya are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for political conflicts, highlighted by a recent teargas incident at a church in Nyeri County. This development comes as the role of the pulpit in President William Ruto's political rise is being re-evaluated amidst escalating tensions.
- Suspected plain-clothes police officers lobbed teargas into Witima Anglican Church of Kenya in Othaya, Nyeri County.
- The incident occurred on January 25, 2026.
- The article suggests that churches were instrumental in President William Ruto’s ascent to the presidency.
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Political Conflict and Teargas Incident at Witima ACK Church in Nyeri - January 2026
Churches in Kenya are increasingly becoming sites of political conflict, highlighted by a recent incident at Witima Anglican Church of Kenya in Othaya, Nyeri County. On January 25, 2026, suspected plain-clothes police officers deployed teargas into the church, causing attendees to flee. The chaos occurred during a service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Following the event, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi spoke on Tuesday, January 27, to deny any involvement in the attack. The incident has led to a re-evaluation of the role of the pulpit in politics, particularly noting its influence on President William Ruto's rise to power.
