The National Police Service has confirmed the arrest of suspects linked with the chaos that erupted near a church in Kariobangi North on Sunday, November 30, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attending a service.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 2, the service confirmed that the seven individuals were arrested in Lucky Summer, Nairobi, and are awaiting arraignment.
Police have noted that they are further analysing more images from the incident to track down additional suspects responsible for the chaos.
"The National Police Service (NPS) confirms the arrest of seven suspects linked to the Kariobangi North PCEA Church disturbances on Sunday, 30th November," NPS stated.
"The seven, all arrested within the Lucky Summer area, are being processed for appearance before a court of law. Further arrests are expected upon the completion of investigations, including photographic and acoustic analysis reports," it added.
Chaos erupted on Sunday afternoon near the church premises after a group of youths that is alleged to have been sponsored to disrupt the church service confronted another group that is believed to be supporters of Gachagua.
Gachagua had gone to the church to lead a thanksgiving service for Democracy for the Citizens Party’s (DCP) Wanyoike Warui, who won the Kariobangi North ward race in the by-elections held on November 27.
As the situation escalated, police officers intervened and dispersed the two groups, who had blocked the entire road that accesses the church's premises.
To neutralise the situation, police lobbed teargas canisters and fired shots in the air in an attempt to disperse the rowdy groups. This situation temporarily halted the service.
In a statement on Sunday, NPS confirmed that six individuals sustained injuries during the chaos, which it noted was planned and premeditated.
Furthermore, the service's spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, dismissed claims that the police lobbed teargas inside the church.
The police have encouraged members of the public who witnessed the incident to contact the service through its official communication channels to assist with the investigation.
