Standoff as Sifuna and Babu Owino briefly denied entry at AIPCA Church Thika
Standoff as Sifuna and Babu Owino briefly denied entry at AIPCA Church Thika
A standoff was witnessed in Thika on Sunday morning after the Linda Mwananchi team, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, was blocked from entering the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Thika.
Videos going round on social media showed a tense atmosphere as the leaders attempted to gain access to the church, prompting action from security personnel and some congregants.
The situation escalated into a brief standoff, with church officials insisting that proper procedures must be followed when public figures attend services.
According to the footage, the opposition leaders and members of the Linda Mwananchi movement were initially denied entry for a short period before being allowed into the church premises after consultations.
After being allowed into the church, the pastor issued a strong warning to the politicians, telling them not to cause a commotion while the service was ongoing.
In one of the videos, an AIPCA preacher is seen addressing the leaders and their supporters, criticising what he described as the disruption of the ongoing church service.
“This is a church, and it has its procedures. Politicians need to plan themselves and come to church early without any comotions or disruptions,” the preacher was heard saying.
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“I do not want to hear anything about security. You have disrupted our service, and I am not happy about that. I need us to come to an understanding. This is the house of the lord. ” If you will not keep quiet, I can decide to end the service,” the preacher added, amid resistance from the congregation.
The incident attracted significant attention from congregants and residents, with videos of the confrontation quickly spreading across social media platforms.
At some point, the preacher denied some leaders access to the front seats, stating that it did not matter who they were or where they sat; they would still be given an opportunity to speak if the church deemed it fit.
The group is on a rally tour of Thika today, where they are attending the church service before a meet-the-people tour of the area later in the day.
Linda Mwananchi is a member of the dissenting faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which is opposing the party’s position of supporting President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
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