Why Opposition Ended Talks With Kanja Over Church, Rally Attacks

By Staff Writer

The Opposition has withdrawn engagement with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over alleged attacks at a church and political rallies, accusing senior state officials of blocking justice.

In a joint statement signed by Stephen Kalonzo, Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa and Fred Matiang’i, the coalition said it would no longer pursue talks with the police chief.

The leaders said they met Mr Kanja on January 30 at Jogoo House in Nairobi following what they described as a violent attack at Witima ACK Church in Othaya.

They alleged that the incident targeted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service and amounted to an attempted assassination.

“We left that meeting in good faith, believing that investigations would proceed independently and that justice would follow,” the statement said.

A follow-up meeting scheduled for February 16 did not take place after they were informed the Inspector General would be unavailable until February 20.

The coalition claimed it had since received information that investigations into the church attack had been concluded and suspects identified.

It alleged that 12 police officers carried out the attack using two Land Cruiser vehicles from Nairobi and that two Members of Parliament from Murang’a and Nyeri counties financed the operation.

The group further claimed that the investigation file had been prepared for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions but was intercepted.

“This is the deliberate use of a government ministry to shield would-be assassins from accountability,” the statement said, accusing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of directing that no prosecution should proceed.

Citing Article 157(10) of the Constitution, the coalition argued that the Director of Public Prosecutions operates independently and cannot be directed or controlled by any person.

It said continued engagement with the Inspector General would be futile, alleging that the police service had been compromised by political interests.

“Service to all cannot mean protection for the powerful and repression for the opposition,” the statement said, referring to the police motto, Utumishi kwa Wote.

The Opposition announced it would initiate private prosecutions against the 12 officers and the two MPs it accused of financing and facilitating the attack.

“The Constitution of Kenya is unambiguous. Article 157(6)(b) provides the constitutional basis for private individuals to institute criminal proceedings when the State fails or refuses to act,” the statement said.

It also cited Section 28 of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act and Section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code as the legal basis for the move.

The leaders warned the Inspector General and the National Police Service against interfering with their planned public meetings, including a rally in Nairobi on February 22, 2026.

Efforts to obtain comment from the Interior Ministry, the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions were ongoing at the time of publication.