Wamae slams police over church standoff with Gachagua’s allies
Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has condemned police officers for disrupting a church service and rally attended by allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Subukia, Nakuru County.
Taking to her X account on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Wamae expressed concern over what she termed an unnecessary show of force by state security agencies against opposition figures.
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She emphasised that both the government and opposition have equal constitutional rights to engage the public, mobilise support, and attend religious services without state interference.
Wamae argued that Kenya’s political landscape should allow freedom of movement, worship, and political expression, regardless of affiliation. She decried the use of intimidation tactics, suggesting that the confrontation at the church was not only unjustified but also a threat to the peace and democratic space that citizens have fought hard to protect.
“Both the opposition and ruling administration have their rights to popularise their political parties, rights of movement, rights of worship to attend church, though offering may differ from Hope to Prado and millions,” she said.
Adding;
“Peace in our country is the priority. There was no reason for the government to confront the opposition @methumuhia group attending church. The police officer in charge could not state the reason. It is left for us viewers to judge who is right or wrong. Peaceful Kenyans and the bullies.”
Teargassed
Her remarks came after a tense standoff between the police and a group of politicians affiliated with Gachagua’s camp, including Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala. The leaders had attended a Sunday service at Subukia AIC Church, after which they held a political rally in Subukia town.
However, trouble began shortly after the rally as the group attempted to leave the town. They found several police roadblocks mounted just a few metres outside Subukia. A contingent of police officers manned the barriers, stopping the convoy and asking the leaders to step out of their vehicles.
The politicians, visibly irritated, tried to engage the police commander in a bid to understand the reason for the obstruction. The situation attracted a large crowd, curious about the unusual scene.
According to police, the group had not notified the local administration of the rally they had held, which they said was a requirement. But the leaders maintained that all Kenyans have the same rights regardless of their political leanings.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who was part of the entourage, reminded the police that Kenya’s Constitution protects freedom of assembly and expression.
As the confrontation dragged on and the crowd grew restless, tension escalated. One vehicle in the convoy suddenly sped off, prompting police to fire tear gas at the motorcade. The sudden attack caused panic and chaos as both the leaders and members of the public scrambled for safety.
“Clouds of tear gas filled the air. People were coughing and running in all directions,” a witness at the scene said.
Earlier, while still in church, some of the politicians claimed the Subukia AIC Church leadership had received instructions not to allow them to fellowship. This sparked criticism from Kajiado North MP, who accused President William Ruto’s administration of interfering with worship.
The MP pointed out that while the president was attending a similar service at an AIC church in Machakos County, their worship in Subukia was being disrupted.
“Pia wewe uko kanisani AIC huko Machakos; sisi tuko hapa. Wacha AIC ya hapa isivurugwe. Na wewe uko AIC kanisa pengine. Freedom of worship is guaranteed in the constitution,” he told the congregation.
