Drama unfolded at a church service in Meru County on Sunday, March 8, when United Opposition leaders and their allies were reportedly blocked from attending a service where Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was the chief guest.
Some members of Gachagua’s advance team were denied entry to the Kaaga Methodist Church, leading to a brief standoff with security personnel on the premises.
Ahead of the service, police maintained a heavy presence around the church, anticipating possible tensions between the two factions.
Gachagua, Supporters Blocked from Attending Church Service Alongside Kindiki. Photo: Courtesy.
Videos circulating on social media show Gachagua’s allies, led by senatorial aspirant Caroline Karimi Muriuki, confronting officers and questioning why they were denied access.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru alleged that the personal assistant of the former Deputy President was abducted by police officers.
He further claimed that officers were stationed near the location where the United Opposition team spent the night to prevent them from attending the service.
They arrived with helicopters and over 500 police, and even near our hotel, we were surrounded.”
Following the standoff, Gachagua and his supporters attended an alternative service at the East Africa Pentecostal Church, Njotene Church Parish in Buuri Constituency, Meru County.
Meanwhile, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed his attendance at the original service to witness the induction of Rev. David Muthuia Mwiti as Bishop of the Kaaga Synod, Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK).
As of publication, no response had been received from the Deputy President or the National Police Service.
