Opposition threatens nationwide protests in 2 weeks if Gachagua attackers not arrested

The United Opposition has threatened to call nationwide demonstrations within two weeks if authorities fail to arrest and prosecute those behind the latest attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.

The opposition leaders issued the warning on Friday after holding a closed-door meeting with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, where they accused the government of supervising what they termed as recurrent, targeted and coordinated acts of violence against their leaders and supporters.

After hours of engagement with the Inspector General, the leaders emerged warning that they would resort to street action if no decisive steps are taken.

“We have told the IG that before we come back on the 16th, those members of that unit need to be arrested, disarmed and prosecuted. After the 16th, hatutakuwa na lingine la kufanya ni kuitisha maandamano kwa Jamhuri ya Kenya until Murkomen, Kanja, two IGs are removed from office,” said DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua.

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka warned that continued attacks on opposition leaders could plunge the country into instability.

“If you touch any national leader and assassinate one of our national leaders before next year’s election, this country will never be the same again,” Musyoka said.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua accused the National Police Service (NPS) of engaging in political intimidation.

“We want the NPS to get out of goonism, to get out of dirty political work and go back to their work,” Karua said.

The leaders also wrote a detailed letter to the National Security Advisory Council, chaired by President William Ruto, enumerating 23 separate incidents in which Gachagua, his family, supporters and members of the public were allegedly attacked between November 2024 and January 2026.

In the letter, the opposition expressed what they termed as grave concern over persistent and increasingly violent attacks against Gachagua, noting that several of the incidents occurred in the presence of police officers and, in some cases, with alleged police facilitation.

Among the incidents listed is the January 25, 2026 attack at ACK Witima Church in Othaya, where tear gas and live bullets were reportedly used, vehicles were disabled and congregants were injured. The opposition claims intelligence points to planning by a special police unit referred to as “Sierra”.

The opposition named at least 15 individuals they accuse of planning and executing the Witima attack, including Major Nicholas Mwachovi, Cpl John Maina alias Birash, Cpl Vincent Maronga, Peter Matu, Owen Kagia, David Ochieng, Erick Obiero, Jeff Mutwiri, Jackson Kioko, Kefa Okwoyo, Crispin Walumbe Muthoni, Stephen Habire Chege, Peter Wainaina Kabuga, Ambrose Manyeki Njeri alias Magrass and Simon Mwangi Wangari alias Sanchez.

The letter further details attacks in Limuru, Shamata, Nyeri, Meru, Naivasha, Mai Mahiu, Kakamega, Bungoma, Murang’a, Narok, Nairobi and Kirinyaga counties, some involving tear gas, live ammunition and alleged assaults by police officers or police-backed groups.

The opposition told the council that Gachagua has reasonable and well-founded cause to fear for his life, describing the Witima church incident as bearing “all the hallmarks of a deliberate and coordinated assassination attempt”.

Among the demands made to the National Security Advisory Council are the institution of independent, impartial and comprehensive investigations into all the incidents, suspension and prosecution of all officers and civilians implicated, urgent measures to guarantee the safety of Gachagua and the public, and restoration of public confidence in the national security system through adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law.

“Kuna kikosi haramu ya polisi 12 inaitwa Nairobi Sierra ndiyo walitumwa na William Ruto kuuwa sisi kanisani,” Gachagua claimed.

After the meeting, the leaders addressed a charged rally at Wakulima Market in Nairobi, calling on Kenyans to be ready to turn up for protests should their demands not be met.

“Tutaagiza maandamano kutoka Kisumu, Busia, Kakamega…,” Gachagua said.

“Maandamano yatatoka Mandera hadi Kisumu. Wakimgusa mmoja wetu Kenya haitakuwa Kenya tena,” Musyoka added.

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala echoed the call, warning that continued attacks would be met with sustained resistance.

The opposition has also announced a series of “meet the people” tours, with a church service scheduled for Sunday in Nyeri County, as pressure mounts on the government and security agencies over the handling of the alleged attacks.