Goon Claims Politician and Police Were Behind All Saints’ Cathedral Attack as Fresh Details Emerge
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the dramatic disruption at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi, with one of the alleged hired goons claiming that the operation was coordinated by influential political figures and aided by police officers.
The revelations come days after chaos erupted at the historic cathedral on June 12, when a group of suspected hired youths stormed a gathering attended by civil society leaders and political figures linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking anonymously during an interview aired by Citizen TV on Sunday, June 15, one of the men involved in the operation alleged that the attack was meticulously planned and that recruits were initially given a completely different assignment before being redirected to the church at the last minute.
According to the individual, the recruitment exercise began on Thursday evening, when dozens of young men were allegedly promised Ksh2,000 each to disrupt what they were told was a political meeting associated with Gachagua in Nairobi’s central business district.
“We were told that there was a meeting of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Nairobi CBD. At the time, we were told that the quick job to disrupt the meeting would cost Ksh2,000,” the recruit claimed.
The source further alleged that each recruit was instructed to arrive with a motorcycle, suggesting the operation was designed to allow participants to move quickly and leave the scene before authorities could identify them.
However, on the morning of the operation, the plan reportedly changed.
Instead of heading to the initially identified venue, the group says it was redirected to All Saints’ Cathedral, where members of civil society had convened for discussions on the proposed 2026/27 national budget.
The recruit alleged that plainclothes police officers were embedded within the group and played a key role in directing activities on the ground.
“When we were heading to the destination, we were diverted to All Saints’ Cathedral Church, where the police who were with us in the plan instructed us to park the motorbikes outside,” he claimed.
Perhaps the most startling allegation concerns assurances allegedly given to the recruits before the operation began.
According to the witness, the group had been informed that there were no CCTV cameras at the venue and that their identities would remain concealed. That confidence reportedly evaporated when one of the recruits noticed surveillance cameras within the church compound.
“Initially, we were told that the venue would have no CCTV cameras. After one of the boys spotted a camera, mayhem erupted because the police abandoned us and claimed they had never been part of the operation,” the recruit alleged.
The revelation raises fresh questions about the planning behind the attack and whether those responsible believed the operation would leave little or no evidence.
Despite claiming they were abandoned at the scene and left without transport money, the recruit said those involved were eventually paid for their participation, fueling further speculation about who financed the operation and how the funds were distributed.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from political leaders, religious organisations, and civil society groups.
Among those who criticised the attack was ODM deputy party leader Oburu Oginga, who argued that the use of hired gangs has become a dangerous trend in Kenyan politics.
Oginga claimed that politicians from both government and opposition circles have increasingly relied on organised groups of youths to intimidate opponents and influence political events.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with detectives reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements to establish those responsible.
Authorities have already arrested two suspects, with investigators indicating that additional arrests could follow as the probe widens.
The allegations made by the anonymous recruit have not been independently verified, and neither the police nor any political leaders mentioned in connection with the claims have publicly responded to the accusations.
The attack on All Saints’ Cathedral has reignited debate over political violence, the alleged use of hired gangs in Kenyan politics, and concerns about possible collusion between criminal elements and state actors.
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