Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has strongly condemned the use of teargas during a church service at Witima Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Othaya, Nyeri County, describing the incident as reckless and inhumane.
Speaking on Monday night in an interview with KTN News, Malala recounted what he witnessed on Sunday when police lobbed teargas into the church during a service attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
He said congregants were blocked from leaving the church compound, triggering panic among worshippers.
Malala said women and children were the most affected by the incident. He claimed several children fainted at the altar after inhaling the gas, while mothers struggled to shield them amid the chaos.
According to him, the use of teargas in an enclosed place of worship exposed congregants to serious danger.
The DCP deputy leader said the events reminded him of the Kiambaa church tragedy, in which civilians died after being trapped inside a building.
“On Sunday, we felt what the congregants in Kiambaa must have felt moments before they were burned alive,” Malala said, adding that the incident reflected a disturbing disregard for human life.
“This is sheer madness. What has become of the police? What has become of William Samoei Ruto? Who gives such orders? Have they lost all fear of God?” he wrote.
Church leaders have since condemned the disruption of the service, calling for restraint by security agencies and respect for places of worship.
Human rights groups have also demanded an independent investigation into the incident.