Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has dismissed claims that the violence witnessed at Witima Church on Sunday was orchestrated by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his team, saying available evidence contradicts the narrative being pushed by his critics.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Maina questioned how an incident involving armed men, live gunfire, and a marked police vehicle could be casually dismissed as a staged political drama.
She argued that such claims ignore visible facts captured on video and shared widely on social media.
She noted that at least two of the armed men were seen discharging their weapons, an action she said raises serious security and legal concerns.
The legislator further referenced the law governing firearm ownership in Kenya, pointing out that civilians are prohibited from owning military-style weapons.
She stated that Chapter 114 of the Laws of Kenya strictly regulates firearm licensing and does not allow private citizens to possess automatic rifles.
Maina argued that the presence of a branded Kenyan police vehicle at the church compound further weakens claims that the incident was self-orchestrated.
In her view, the combination of armed personnel, gunfire, and police assets points to a coordinated operation that warrants accountability rather than political spin.
The incident has since triggered sharp political exchanges, with some government supporters alleging the chaos was staged, while allies of the former deputy president have blamed state operatives.
Maina called for a fact-based approach to the matter, urging investigators to focus on who was responsible and under whose authority the operation was carried out.