Tension at Witima ACK Church as Gachagua Alleges Attack During Othaya Standoff

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that his life and that of his allies are in danger after what he described as an attack at Witima ACK Church in Othaya on Sunday.

In a statement circulated on social media, Gachagua claimed that they were trapped inside the church amid gunfire and tear gas, and accused President William Ruto of deploying a “killer squad” to target them. He said their vehicles had been torched and appealed to Kenyans to pray for their safety as they sought to leave the premises alive.

“We are marooned in church being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and torched my vehicles,” Gachagua said in the statement, adding that the situation was ongoing at the time of posting.

Authorities had not immediately responded to the claims, and the allegations could not be independently verified. There was also no official comment from State House or the security agencies by the time of publication.

Local residents reported heavy police presence in and around Othaya, with tension high as events unfolded. It was not immediately clear what prompted the confrontation or how many people were involved.

The incident comes amid heightened political temperatures following the public fallout between President Ruto and his former deputy, with their rivalry increasingly spilling into public rallies and church events.

Human rights groups and religious leaders have previously called for restraint and dialogue, warning against the use of force in political disputes.

As of Sunday evening, the situation at Witima ACK Church remained unclear, with Kenyans online expressing concern and calling for calm and accountability as they awaited official clarification.