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NCCK asks Murkomen to apologise for teargassing churches
26th January, 2026 01:04 PM
The National Council of Churches of Kenya has demanded an apology from the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Affairs Kipchumba Murkomen and the Inspector General of Police.
In a statement by the council, dated January 26, 2026, the NCCK stated that the National Police Service violated the constitutional right to worship as provided for under Article 32 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010).
This came after an incident in Othaya where worshipers, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, were teargassed at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Witima Parish, Nyeri County, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
They went ahead to describe the attacks as deliberate, unwarranted, unprovoked, illegal, unconstitutional and an attack on the body of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who is their Lord and Saviour.
“Every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship,” NCCK stated.
“We further note that in all these incidences, the Police officers who deliberately broke the law have not been interdicted, investigated, prosecuted or otherwise held accountable for their heinous crime, indicating state approval at the highest level.”
NCCK demands
In their statement, the NCCK called for an unqualified apology from the Minister for Interior and the Inspector General of the National Police Service to the Church and the religious community in Kenya and speedy interdiction, investigation and prosecution of all the police officers involved in the attacks on churches during worship services.
Former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who was present in the latest incident, blamed the government, as leaders from both sides of the political divide condemned the incident.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and coordination of the national government, Kipchumba Murkomen, is yet to respond to the council.
