A political standoff erupted in Subukia on Sunday, July 20, 2025, after police officers blocked a convoy of politicians allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The convoy was stopped by police officers shortly after they attended a church service at AIC Subukia in Nakuru County.
The team, led by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, was stopped at a police roadblock minutes after leaving the church grounds.
Further, according to videos seen by The Kenya Times, a group of uniformed officers ordered the leaders to stop, leading to a tense confrontation along the road.
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Police and the Convoy Engage in Heated Argument
Additionally, the videos shared online show visibly agitated leaders engaging the officers, demanding to know why their movement was being restricted.
Amid the commotion, the commanding officer can be heard saying the group had not informed the local administration about holding a political rally in the town.
Moreover, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who was part of the entourage, strongly defended the group’s actions, accusing he police of wrongfully targeting them.
“All Kenyans have equal rights, regardless of their political affiliation. You cannot apply the law selectively,” Methu is heard telling the officers.
The incident drew large crowds as the altercation unfolded, with some residents filming the exchange on their phones.
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Malala Speaks During Service
Speaking earlier during the church service at AIC Subukia, Malala and his team claimed they had faced attempts to block them from participating in worship.
On the other hand, Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo alleged that the church leadership had received instructions not to allow them to speak or fellowship with the congregation.
Ngogoyo criticised what he termed state interference in religious spaces.
“While the President is worshipping at an AIC church in Machakos, we are being disrupted here in Subukia. Freedom of worship is guaranteed in the Constitution. Let no one use power to divide the church,” he said.
Malala also took to social media earlier in the day to share images of the service.
“DCP National leaders led by Deputy Party Leader Sen. Cleophas Malala and Nyandarua Senator Methu attending church service at AIC Subukia and thereafter meet-the-people tours.”
The DCP leaders were accompanied by other grassroots figures, including local MCAs and community mobilisers, as part of a regional outreach program to engage with the public.
Following the confrontation with police, the leaders maintained that they were not holding a political rally but would be engaging with constituents after a worship service.
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