Local leaders in Nakuru have urged ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua to allow police to conduct independent investigations into the killing of Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in Nakuru.
Reverend Ngari was found dead earlier this week under unclear circumstances, prompting widespread shock and grief within the church and local community. As detectives pursue leads, Gachagua’s public remarks have drawn condemnation for being inflammatory and potentially undermining the investigation.
In a statement on Friday, Gachagua claimed, without providing evidence, that Reverend Ngari was killed by the government for being a “threat to freedom of worship” in Kenya. He further alleged that the PCEA church had recently faced attacks, citing incidents at PCEA Mwiki and PCEA Kariobangi, where he claimed worshippers were targeted by goons allegedly backed by police officers.
However, security experts and civil society groups have cautioned that such statements risk politicizing the tragedy and could interfere with the ongoing investigation and have warned that insinuations of government involvement, made without evidence, could inflame tensions and distract from efforts to identify the real perpetrators.
Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and have appealed for patience as they gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Nakuru PCEA church faithfuls say that the family of Reverend Ngari deserves truth and justice, not political posturing. They have called on leaders to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to complete their work without interference.
