A Sunday church service in Kirinyaga turned tense and political after leaders from both government and opposition showed up.
Among those present were former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua. What started as a normal service quickly changed when outspoken Member of Parliament Maina Njeri grabbed the microphone and called out the government over extra-judicial killings.
Njeri openly accused President William Ruto’s administration of being behind the torture and killing of Albert Ojwang, a young man who was reportedly arrested over online publishing activities.
According to Njeri, Albert was handed over to state officers, taken to Karura, tortured, and returned to his family as a corpse. His statement shocked many in the church, but he spoke with full confidence and without fear.
He asked why any parent should trust the government with their child only to get a body in return.
“We will not give you peace at all,” Njeri said, directly blaming the state. His words stirred emotions in the church, with some leaders looking uncomfortable while others clapped or nodded in agreement.
Njeri then demanded that the officer he named as Lagat who happens to be the Deputy Inspector General of police, who he believes was responsible for Albert’s death, resign immediately and be arrested.
“Before justice is delivered, we will not rest,” she said, as parts of the congregation cheered him on.
The presence of both Gachagua and Karua made the message heavier. These two have rarely appeared on the same platform, but the seriousness of the matter seemed to bring everyone to one place.
The death of Albert Ojwang has now moved from a quiet case to a national issue, especially after being mentioned so boldly in church.
What was meant to be a spiritual gathering ended up being a political showdown, with truth and emotion taking over the altar. MP Njeri’s words were not sugar-coated.
She faced the government head-on and put it on notice. The situation has now left people waiting to see if the authorities will act or just ignore the cries of justice.
