Principal Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Government Spokesperson, Dennis Itumbi has dismissed viral claims that police teargassed Witima ACK Church in Othaya on Sunday, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his team were attending a service.

“It is important to note that at no point did the police deploy teargas inside the church,” Itumbi said.

He adde that the disruption was initiated by a group of goons who had infiltrated the area.

Police intervened, but the attackers released teargas toward officers, prompting warning shots.

“The original disruption appears to have been initiated by a group of goons who had infiltrated the area. Police officers intervened to stop them before they could carry out their actions,” Mr Itumbi wrote on social media.

Video evidence recorded by Rigathi’s own photographer, he noted, shows the former DP moving freely and aware of the recording, contradicting claims of abduction.

“Footage shows Rigathi conscious, mobile, and aware of the recording, even gesturing for filming to stop,” Mr Itumbi said.

However, Mr Gachagua and his aides maintain a different narrative.

In a post shared shortly after the incident, Mr Gachagua claimed they were under attack inside the church.

“We are marooned in the church being attacked with live bullets and tear gas and our vehicles torched. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” he wrote.

He further alleged that the chaos was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating him and his team.

Mr Itumbi also addressed viral stories of torched vehicles, pointing out that cars were parked safely and remained untouched.

“The other two cars are untouched; again the effort to win the attention economy fails,” Mr Itumbi noted.

He urged the public to rely on verified information.

Several of the intruders seen in videos have since been captured, he added, and called on politicians to stop exploiting violent incidents for attention.

Kenyans who responded to his post wanted to know how goons could access teargas.

"I thought cops are the custodians of teargas. The response by police was top notch, right on time. Wueh," Nelee Kirujah wrote.

"Have the said goons been arrested by police officers for impersonation, aggravated assault, causing bodily harm, attempted murder and all the charges that can fit in this scenario? Ama public perception is of no importance for the real police officers including the RC of Nyeri?" asked Hillary Mulwa.

Dominic Kilonzo wasn't sure how teargas is handled.

"Who produces Teargas? Is it the government or a private company?" he asked.

Clea Shiro appeared to agree with Itumbi and posed: "Paid actors. Carrying colgates kwa kanisa. Throwing teargas kwa church and then munaenda kusave Riggy next time plan a good script."

The drama continues as Mr Gachagua has called a press conference at 5pm to address the nation and provide his version of events.