Government aide Denis Itumbi has offered a new account of the tear gas incident that disrupted a Kariobangi North church service on Sunday, arguing that police were responding to a violent confrontation outside the compound rather than targeting worshippers or political figures.
His remarks come as the episode continues to draw scrutiny, particularly due to the presence of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua at the service.
According to Itumbi, the disturbance began when two rival groups engaged in a violent clash outside the church entrance.
He stated on X that some members of the groups were armed, claiming Citizen TV journalists at the scene reported the presence of pangas and multiple injuries. Itumbi said the initial officers deployed were overwhelmed, prompting calls for reinforcement as the situation escalated.
He explained that police used tear gas in what he termed a crowd-control measure aimed at stopping the confrontation and preventing further harm.
The canisters, he added, were fired outside the church perimeter, with the gas only entering the sanctuary after drifting from the open-air dispersal.
Itumbi pointed to graphics shared by political actors online, saying they inadvertently showed the deployment occurring outside rather than inside the church compound.
The incident has stirred political debate, particularly because Kariobangi North has a history of heightened activity during election seasons and public gatherings.
Nairobi’s informal settlements have frequently been flashpoints during periods of political competition, with local leaders often drawing large crowds that challenge police crowd-management capacities.
Gachagua’s recent public engagements have also attracted national attention due to ongoing political divisions within the ruling coalition.
While Itumbi framed the incident as a public safety response, questions remain on how the situation escalated to the point of affecting a church service.
Political observers note that such disputes often deepen existing tensions, particularly when senior figures like Gachagua are involved.
With Kenya’s political landscape remaining active between electoral cycles, incidents in urban centres frequently shape perceptions of policing, security, and political conduct.
Itumbi maintained that officers acted to prevent further injuries and restore order at the scene.