Stop Teargassing Churches
Press Release
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. (Psalm 11: 4 – 5)
The National Council of Churches of Kenya strongly condemns the disruption of the worship service at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Witima Parish, Nyeri County, on Sunday January 25, 2026. The National Police Service violated the constitutional right to worship as provided for under Article 32 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010)
Every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship.
On their part, the Public Order Act and the National Police Service Act provide specific guidelines for police conduct in instances where public gatherings may be interrupted. The NCCK notes that these provisions were not followed during the incident yesterday.
The Church expresses her grave concern on the desecration of places of worship by Police Officers.
1. This Worrying Trend Must Stop Now
Prior to the incident at Witima in Nyeri County, Kenyans have witnessed 9 instances where police attacked worshippers peacefully assembled in churches and services were ongoing. These were:
a) October 4, 2020 – Police lobbed teargas at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kenol, Murang’a County, during a worship service that was underway.
b) July 16, 2024 – Police disrupted a prayer service at Chosen Generation Church in Nakuru, stating that they were pursuing demonstrators in the area.
c) July 25, 2024 – Police deployed teargas at congregants gathered within the compounds of All Saints’ Cathedral (Anglican Church of Kenya) and the Holy Family Basilica (Catholic Church) in Nairobi.
d) January 1, 2025 – Teargas canisters were released inside the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Miharati, Nyandarua County, during a New Year vigil.
e) July 20, 2025 – Police used teargas at the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Subukia, Nakuru County, targeting worshippers leaving a church service.
f) November 30, 2025 – Police used teargas near the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Kariobangi North in Nairobi County, disrupting an ongoing worship service.
g) January 11, 2026 – Police deployed teargas in and around the AIPCA Church at Kiamworia in Kiambu County.
h) January 25, 2026 – Teargas was used near the ACK Wairima Parish in Nyeri County, causing disruption to an ongoing worship service.
NCCK avers that the deliberate, unwarranted, and unprovoked lobbing of teargas canisters at worshippers in a place of worship is not only illegal and unconstitutional but an attack on the body of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is our Lord and Savior.
We further note that in all these incidences, the Police officers who deliberately broke the law have not been interdicted, investigated, prosecuted or otherwise held accountable for their heinous crime indicating state approval at the highest level.
2. Call for Action
Consequently, the NCCK calls for:
- An unqualified apology from the Minister for Interior and the Inspector General of the National Police Service to the Church and the religious community in Kenya.
- Speedy interdiction, investigation and prosecution of all the Police Officers involved in the attacks on churches during worship services.
Signed on this 26th day of January 2026 at Jumuia Place, Nairobi.
Rev Dr Elias Otieno Agola
Chairman
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
