The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has issued a strong condemnation regarding the disruption of a worship service at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Wairima Parish in Nyeri County. They described the incident as unconstitutional, unlawful, and indicative of a troubling trend emerging nationally.
This incident took place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when police officers unleashed teargas both inside and around the church compound while the service was in progress, causing congregants to scatter and abruptly halting the worship.
The NCCK pointed out that this action contravened Article 32(2) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which ensures that everyone has the right to express their religion or beliefs through worship, practice, teaching, and observance, whether alone or in community, in both public and private settings.
“The National Police Service infringed upon the constitutional right to worship by disrupting a peaceful and lawful religious gathering,” the Council stated in their announcement.
A Disturbing Trend
The NCCK emphasized that the incident at Wairima Parish is not an isolated case; rather, it reflects a disturbing trend where police have repeatedly interrupted church services across the nation, often justifying their actions by claiming they were pursuing demonstrators in nearby areas.
Since 2020, there have been at least nine similar occurrences, including the use of teargas against worshippers at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Murang’a County, the disruption of a prayer service at Chosen Generation Church in Nakuru, and the deployment of teargas near All Saints’ Cathedral and Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi in July 2024.
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Other noted incidents include the release of teargas inside the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Kariobangi North during a New Year vigil in January 2025, as well as targeting worshippers leaving church services in Nakuru and Kiambu counties in 2025.
Recently, on January 11, 2026, police used teargas around AIPCA Church in Kiamworia, Nyeri County, and there was another incident on January 25 at ACK Wairima Parish.
Lack of Accountability
The Council has raised alarms about the fact that, despite these ongoing violations, no police officers involved have faced any disciplinary action, investigation, or prosecution.
“This lack of response gives the impression that there’s approval from the highest levels of government,” the NCCK stated, cautioning that this ongoing inaction threatens the rule of law and diminishes public confidence in law enforcement.
The NCCK also pointed out that both the Public Order Act and the National Police Service Act lay out clear expectations for how police should behave during public gatherings, especially when it comes to protecting places of worship. Unfortunately, these guidelines have been repeatedly overlooked.
Call for Action
The NCCK condemned the disruption of worship services as not only illegal but also a violation of sacred spaces, urging for immediate corrective actions.
The Council is demanding a full public apology from the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and the Inspector General of the National Police Service to both the church and the broader religious community.
They are also calling for swift disciplinary measures, investigations, and prosecutions of all police officers involved in the attacks on churches during worship services.
“The intentional and unwarranted use of teargas against worshippers is not just unconstitutional; it’s an assault on the sanctity of worship and the dignity of believers,” the NCCK emphasized.
