A standoff ensued on Sunday, April 2, after a bishop from AIPCA church based in Ruiru, Kiambu County halted the service owing to the presence of the Azimio leaders among them Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Reports indicated that the bishop stopped the service midway and called the leaders into a room where they had discussions on what kind of messaging they would convey in the church.
The bishop reportedly warned that any messaging surrounding politics ought to be light and not regarding the mass action anticipated for Monday, April 3.
At the time of publishing this article, no politician had been allowed to address the congregation as the service was still on.
Azimio's Raila Odinga, however, did not attend the Ruiru Sunday service.
It was also not clear if the Azimio principals had notified the Kiambu-based church of their visit.
A spot check on Raila's official social media pages showed his latest post where he exuded confidence on Monday's demonstrations as he stated: "We are all ready and set for Mega Monday."
The leaders were expected to relay more information regarding the mass action touted by the opposition leader Raila as the mother of all demonstrations.
“Let me tell you, on Monday, we shall have the mother of all demonstrations in Nairobi. We are undeterred and I urge Kenyans to turn out in larger numbers and from all corners to champion for their rights peacefully," he stated on March 31, 2023.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, however, warned the ODM leader that the government would assert its authority on the protests.
“I want to caution those young men, who have been taking advantage of the violence unleashed by Raila to steal property, mug people and loot property, that Monday is their last day to do so.
“If they care, to look at the penal code, the consequences are extremely heavy. The Government of the Republic of Kenya will assert its authority in protecting life and property and upholding the rule of law.
"I am just giving that caution to those young people that it is not going to be business as usual. It cannot happen, and it will not happen. It is wrong, it is immoral and it is unacceptable," he noted during his tour in Malava, Kakamega County.
