Matiang’i Reacts as He Blames Nairobi Leaders After Heckling Incident at Bishop Wanjiru’s Church

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has sounded a warning over the disruption of church services in Nairobi, accusing some political leaders of allegedly encouraging behaviour that threatens peaceful worship and calling for firm leadership to protect religious institutions from interference.

Matiang’i, who leads the Jubilee Party, made the remarks on Sunday, October 11, 2026, while attending a church service at Jesus Is Alive Ministries hosted by Bishop Margaret Wanjiru. The gathering was interrupted when a section of the congregation began heckling and making noise, prompting the former CS to speak out against the conduct.

He expressed concern that churches, which should provide peaceful environments for worshippers, were increasingly vulnerable to disruptions that could interfere with people’s constitutional right to practise their faith freely.

Matiang’i pointed an accusing finger at what he described as poor leadership in Nairobi, suggesting that some of the disorder witnessed during the service could have been engineered by political leaders.

“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,” he said.

Although he did not name the leaders he was referring to, his remarks placed political accountability at the centre of the incident, with the former Interior CS insisting that those in positions of authority should promote discipline rather than actions that could undermine peaceful gatherings.

Matiang’i further called for respect for the church, arguing that Kenyans should be able to attend religious services without intimidation or unnecessary interference.

“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 added.

His intervention comes amid continuing political competition in the country, with public gatherings often attracting individuals with different political interests.

However, the former CS maintained that political differences should not become an excuse for disrupting religious activities.

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