Tension exploded in Kariobangi North Estate, Nairobi, on Sunday, November 30, after two rival political groups clashed outside the PCEA church where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had gone for a worship service.
According to witnesses, the confrontation began when a group of young men—allegedly hired to disrupt the visit—approached another team believed to be loyal supporters of Gachagua. What initially appeared to be a verbal disagreement quickly escalated into a heated confrontation just a few meters from the church entrance.
The situation worsened shortly before midday as the rival groups started blocking the access road leading to the church. Police officers who were already on high alert due to rising political tension in the area intervened almost immediately.
They lobbed tear gas canisters and fired several warning shots in the air, attempting to force the rowdy groups to disperse. Despite this, many youths stood their ground, prompting officers to aggressively push them out of the road.
Video footage from the scene shows residents, business owners, and passersby fleeing in panic as clouds of tear gas engulfed the area. Several shops temporarily closed as the chaos spilled into nearby streets, disrupting normal activity within the estate.
Inside the church, the service was briefly interrupted for about five minutes. Congregants struggled with the tear gas fumes drifting inside, with many covering their noses and eyes using handkerchiefs and pieces of cloth.
At the time, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Mejjadonk—one of Gachagua’s close allies—was delivering his speech.
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported, but the area remained heavily guarded for the rest of the service.
Armed officers stayed positioned around the church compound to prevent any further confrontation as the worship session continued smoothly afterward.
This dramatic incident comes just three days after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate David Warui won the Kariobangi North MCA by-election.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Warui secured 2,282 votes, narrowly beating independent candidate Kimanzi John Katua, who received 1,956 votes.
Warui’s victory has been celebrated by DCP as a major political achievement. He described the win as a significant milestone for both Kariobangi North residents and the growing influence of the DCP across Nairobi’s political landscape.
Gachagua had attended the church for a Thanksgiving service in honor of Warui’s victory when the chaos erupted. As of now, the party has not issued any official statement regarding the clash or the alleged sponsors behind the disruption.
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