Did DCI Stop Rigathi Gachagua from Attending A Church Service in Kahawa West Last Sunday?

On Sunday afternoon on his X page Gachagua posted the following words: “My spouse Pastor [Pastor] Dorcas Rigathi and I have been blessed at PriestHood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, Roysambu Constituency, Nairobi County under the stewardship of Dr. Bishop JJ. Gitahi.

The post was accompanied by the following photographic evidence, showing that Gachagua and Dorcas were indeed present at the said church function.

So why did such a reputable media house choose to present a sensational version of the Gachagua incident?

Two reasons are apparently in play. Either the media house is driving an agenda to discredit the government, wilfully, or the DCI is not telling the whole truth about what happened in the periphery of the church function.

Was Gachagua accosted by detectives outside the venue? In that context, would the reporter be wrong in stating an attempted effort to bar the former Deputy President from attending the church service? No.

Obviously state departments, especially those associated with law enforcement need to do a lot of PR to resuscitate an already tarnished image. The manner in which they handled the Gen Z demonstrations indelibly engendered mistrust in public perception.

Below is the whole DCI statement:

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) wishes to address the misleading claims published in the Daily Nation on November 11, 2024, regarding alleged attempts by detectives in unmarked Subaru cars to prevent Hon. Rigathi Gachagua from attending a church service in Nairobi.

We want to clarify that these allegations are entirely false and seem to be aimed at misrepresenting the actions and intentions of the DCI. The DCI operates within the parameters established by the rule of law and has consistently affirmed its commitment to refraining from interference in the liberties of individuals and institutions.

Moreover, the claim that the writer was unable to obtain a comment from the DCI is incorrect. The Director of Criminal Investigations provided a prompt response, reaffirming the DCI’s commitment to respecting the autonomy of religious institutions and the writer acknowledged receipt of this response.

The Daily Nation must thoroughly verify facts, present balanced perspectives, and handle sensitive topics carefully to uphold its commitment to truth and fairness in journalism. This is particularly important when the information affects individuals’ reputations and the integrity of institutions.”

For now, we shall give the devil his due.

Gachagua attended the contested church function. Also present were various leaders including Wanjiku Muhia,(Kipipiri Constituency) James Gakuya (Embakasi North) Samuel Parashina,(Kajiado South), Benjamin Gathiru Mejja Donk (Embakasi Central), Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Former Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru among others.

As to whether an attempt was made by detectives in Subaru’s, that’s neither here nor there. The English word being “barred” should have been used by the influential media house with restraint.

Something to ask ourselves: was the story about Subaru’s chasing Gachagua or Gachagua being barred from attending a church service?

Some leaders who were present at the Roysambu church service.

Kenyans are still bitter with the government over how their children were ruthlessly handled when they exercised their rights to picket.

Images like the one shown below are daily circulated on social media indicating the agony of the recent experience with the police.

Masked officers killed Kenyans during the recent anti-government protests.

That does not mean the government cannot be telling the truth in this instance.

Journalists strive to report events as accurately as they occur. Once in a while, though, they make a mistake. The rule of law is to acknowledge error and move on.

For reasons best known to the law enforcement agencies, Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua might have, momentarily, been stopped from accessing the venue, but evidence is replete that he did, eventually, attend a church service at Priesthood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, Roysambu Constituency of Nairobi County on Sunday 10 November, 2024.