Deputy President Kithure Kindiki criticized his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua for alleged political incitement during a Meru church event on March 8, 2026. Opposition leaders were blocked from entering the church and vowed legal action against Kindiki. The incident occurred during the induction of Bishop David Mwiti.
On March 8, 2026, a standoff occurred at Kaaga Methodist Church in Meru County, where opposition leaders including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka were blocked from attending a church service presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. The event was the induction of Bishop David Mwiti as Bishop of Kaaga Synod in the Methodist Church in Kenya.
Opposition figures claimed they had been invited by the bishop but were barred by police, including a large GSU deployment and helicopters. Senatorial aspirant Caroline Karimi Muriuki stated, "They have brought over 100 police officers. Even near our hotel. There are police. We want to know why we cannot be allowed in, yet an invitation was extended to us by the bishop."
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru alleged that Gachagua's personal assistant was abducted by officers. Kalonzo Musyoka said, "This morning, the United opposition was denied the chance to witness the induction of a good Bishop. This is a deliberate act of political repression carried out at the House of God." He vowed to pursue legal action against Kindiki, adding, "The deputy president used the police to bar citizens from worshipping freely. That is not governance. Those are marks of a regime gripped with fear."
Gachagua claimed, "We had been invited by the bishop to Kaaga Methodist to witness his inauguration, but when we got to Meru someone attached to President William Ruto called Kindiki tried to stop us."
After being denied entry, the opposition leaders attended an alternative service at EATC Njotene or East Africa Pentecostal Church, Njotene Parish, Buuri Constituency.
Speaking afterward, Kindiki warned Gachagua against incitement. He said, "Visitors are welcome in Meru, but they must come with discipline… no chaos or trouble. If they cause unrest, we will deal with it seriously. The people of Meru are civilized; we do not tolerate disorder or noise."
Kindiki criticized Gachagua for disrespecting leaders and failing to deliver development. "You, Rigathi, were just a district officer and served one term as an MP. When you were appointed Deputy President, you undermined the government by fighting the President and sabotaging development programs. We will not allow anyone to destroy our country by inciting people," he said.
Kindiki emphasized the government's solid development plan, stating, "The difference between us and those walking around inciting people is like day and night. We have a solid plan… We dare them to present the projects they lobbied for Meru County, the Mt. Kenya region, and Kenya at large when they were in office."
