Archbishop Ole Sapit Demands IG Kanja’s Resignation Over Cathedral Attack
The National Police Service has come under renewed pressure following the violent disruption of a public participation forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, with Anglican Church leaders and civil society groups demanding swift action against those responsible.
The incident, which saw suspected goons invade a meeting organized by members of civil society to discuss the Finance Bill, has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about rising political violence and insecurity in the country.
Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has now demanded the arrest and prosecution of both the perpetrators and the individuals who allegedly sponsored the attack. The outspoken church leader questioned the effectiveness of the country’s security agencies and called for the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja if those behind the incident are not brought to justice.
“They have to be brought to book. If they don’t, and not only them but also their sponsors, then the DCI and the Inspector General of Police have no business sitting in those offices. They should resign as an honorable thing,” Archbishop Ole Sapit said.
The Archbishop warned that failure to act decisively could embolden criminal groups and lead to increased violence at public gatherings, political rallies, and civic events as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
The attack has once again placed the spotlight on the growing concern over organized groups being used to disrupt public meetings and intimidate critics. Religious leaders and civil society organizations have expressed fears that such incidents could undermine democratic participation and freedom of expression.
Responding to the criticism, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen described the attack as both unfortunate and unacceptable. He assured the public that investigations are underway and that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted.
According to Murkomen, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are analyzing CCTV footage from the scene, and several suspects have already been identified. He revealed that one suspect was arrested immediately after the incident while efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional individuals captured on surveillance cameras.
“The DCI is already analyzing the CCTV cameras. One suspect was arrested immediately and a number of others are being pursued. We will take those people to court and they will be held accountable,” Murkomen stated.
While condemning the incident, the Interior CS also blamed politicians whom he accused of sponsoring criminal gangs for political purposes before abandoning them once their usefulness ends. He argued that some of the security challenges being witnessed in urban areas are linked to politically motivated groups that later evolve into criminal networks.
In response to growing concerns over insecurity in the capital, Murkomen announced major reforms to Nairobi’s security architecture, including the creation of a new specialized police formation known as the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.
The new unit is expected to begin operations next month and will focus on tackling urban crime, organized gangs, political violence, and other emerging security threats within the Nairobi metropolitan region.
Murkomen said the unit will be supported by enhanced surveillance technology, expanded CCTV coverage, modern command centers, specialized training, and additional operational resources aimed at improving law enforcement capabilities in the city.
“We are leveraging technology to ensure broader CCTV coverage and real-time monitoring of activities within our cities,” he said, adding that the government has studied security models used by major international cities including New York and London.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli also condemned a separate incident involving an attack on a school bus transporting learners from a music competition, warning that violence targeting children cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
The opposition has also weighed in on the controversy. Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accused sections of the security establishment of failing to prevent politically motivated violence and warned that those involved would eventually face accountability.
“We are keeping a record of your name, your service number and what happened. Next year in October, you’ll face the law,” Gachagua said.
As investigations continue, attention is now focused on whether security agencies will successfully identify and prosecute both the perpetrators and the alleged masterminds behind the cathedral attack. The incident has reignited a national conversation about political intolerance, public safety, and the role of security agencies in protecting democratic spaces.
With the government promising arrests and the deployment of new security measures, many Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether the latest commitments translate into concrete action and whether similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
