Religious leaders condemn Othaya church attack, accuse police of slow investigations

Religious leaders have castigated security agencies over what they term laxity in investigating Sunday’s chaos, during which tear gas canisters were lobbed inside the Witima ACK Church in Nyeri.

ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit says the incident points to a worrying pattern of attacks targeting churches, even as he called for political tolerance and accused security agencies of dragging their feet in investigating the chaos.

"This is not the first time we are seeing attacks in churches. Now the worrisome part is they normally present themselves as goons, but who holds the custody of tear gas? Stones can be held by anybody and can be thrown by anybody, we do not dispute that, but who threw tear gas in an active place of worship? It must be part of our security agencies," said Ole Sapit.

The United Clergy Alliance has also termed the attack a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the pulpit, even as it issued a clarion call for political tolerance.

"The sanctity of the sanctuary is defined in the scriptures. You cannot deny a witchdoctor from coming to church, leave alone a politician. You cannot even deny a murderer from coming to church. Anybody trying to say ati deny this person or the other should know that is unfortunate," said Joel Nzomo, Secretary, United Clergy Alliance.

"Hii serikali ambayo tumesimama nayo kama kanisa ihakikishe kanisa ipo na usalama wa kutosha, haswa wakati huu wa kuabudu kanisani ni mahali patakatifu…ni kama embassy mahali kila mtu anakimbilia usalama," said Francis Mulinge, Chairman, United Clergy Alliance.

Speaking in Kirinyaga County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a stern warning to the political class over the increasing instances of physical violence as well as foul language directed at political opponents.

"Siwezi kubali kanisa iwe mahali ambapo siasa duni na chafu ya vita inaweza kufanyika. Haijalishi ni mwanasiasa wa mrengo gani, siasa yote ambayo ni duni ya kupigana mawe na kupigana mangumi hiyo lazima ikome. Tuwe kwa siasa ya amani," said CS Murkomen.

Police Inspector Douglas Kanja had in a statement said that police have begun investigations into the attack.