President William Ruto on Sunday, October 30, asked for forgiveness from the church and religious leaders in general over the chaos that occurred at Kenol, Murang'a County on October 4, 2020, that left one person dead.
Speaking during an interdenominational Church service at Kariguini, Kenol, Murang'a County, Ruto took the blame, noting that he was part of the former administration that was tasked with instituting reforms within the country.
He, however, pointed out that the people within the inner circle of the government failed to carry out their roles.
He linked the failures to the chaos that occurred in Kenol which saw police officers lob teargas at congregants at AIPCA Kenol Church. Further, goons blocked a section of the highway after lighting tires and staging protests. One person succumbed as a result of the chaos.
"I'm happy that we came here at Kenol. Those who did those actions and what (Deputy President) Gachagua said is not true. I'm the one who should ask for forgiveness because we formed that government with (former president) Uhuru Kenyatta."
"But we got employees with so much pride, deceit and stupidity hence they caused the fracas with teargas at the church in Kandara. To the church, I ask for an apology because we formed that government but those who committed those actions, God has humbled them," he stated.
The president made a promise to Kenyans, affirming that such chaos would never occur while he was in power.
"We won't have a situation where teargas will be thrown inside a church. I want to assure the church, religious leaders and every Kenyan that every place of worship is sacred," he promised.
Gachagua, on the other hand, pointed out that police officers allegedly responsible for the chaos had reached out to him and requested forgiveness
"We had a conversation with the police officers who were instructed to throw teargas at the church yesterday and also asked for forgiveness. We know very well that the teargas would not have been thrown had it not been for our presence. On behalf of the president and I, we ask forgiveness for that discretion of the altar.
"No police officer will ever discreet the church for whatever reason. If they wish to make arrests, they will await outside and seek the person once the service is done," Gachagua promised.
