Matiang’i condemns heckling at Bishop Wanjiru’s church

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i during a church service at Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi on October 11, 2026 / HANDOUT

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has condemned the heckling that disrupted a church service at Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi.

The Jubilee Party leader blamed what he described as poor leadership for allowing such incidents to occur.

Matiang’i was speaking on Sunday during a worship service hosted by Bishop Margaret Wanjiru when a section of the congregation began making noise and heckling.

He said churches should be allowed to conduct their services without interference, arguing that such disruptions undermine the freedom of worship guaranteed under the Constitution.

“I am very firm, and a believer in discipline and order. This behaviour you are seeing here, some of it engineered by leaders of Nairobi,” Matiang’i said.

He criticised those involved in the disruption, saying people should be free to attend religious gatherings without fear of intimidation.

“The Church should be respected. This country needs a firm leadership and follows the law the way it is supposed. We can’t accept such actions of heckling because we want a free country where people do what they are supposed to do,” he said.

Leaders during a Church Service at Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi on October 11, 2026 / HANDOUT Matiang’i argued that leaders had a responsibility to uphold order and ensure that public gatherings, including religious services, were not disrupted.

“If Bishop Wanjiru comes here to preach with her choir, she should have the freedom to do so according to her plans,” he said.

He also linked the incident to the question of leadership and security, saying the country needed leaders committed to discipline and respect for the law.

“It is bad leadership that allows goons to come and disrupt meetings and also cause insecurity that needs to change,” Matiang’i said.

He expressed confidence that unity among Kenyans could help bring about the leadership changes he was advocating for.

“When we unite, I believe we shall change this country and get a good leadership. We are better than this and we can do better than this,” he said.

Matiang’i attended the service alongside Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, Borabu MP Patrick Osero, former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, former Borabu MP Ben Momanyi and Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, among other leaders.

The former CS said he had joined the faithful to pray for God’s continued guidance, wisdom and blessings upon the country and its people.