Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the police officers who lobbed teargas at President William Ruto at a church in Kenol, Murang'a came out to ask for his forgiveness.
He said they contacted him on Saturday night revealing they had been ordered to launch the October 4, 2020 attack at the AIPCA Kenol Church.
Gachagua spoke on Sunday during an interdenominational prayer service at Karigu-ini in Murang'a.
"The police and the administrative officers who were instructed to throw teargas at you, at our Bishops, they reached out to me last night and asked for forgiveness because walitumika vibaya and it was not their wish to cause the disgrace," he said.
Gachagua apologized to the President on behalf of the Mt Kenya region politicians.
"Your Excellency, you were our visitor and because you were shamed on behalf of the leaders and residents of Mt Kenya region, we ask for forgiveness. Please find it in your heart to forgive us," he said.
He also apologized to the church leadership, reiterating that Ruto's administration is committed to protecting the freedom of worship.
"Our churches and clergy will get the respect they deserve from the government," he said.
"To our church leaders, you know the tear gas would not have been thrown into a church if the President and we had not been here... We would like the church to forgive us for that disgrace of the altar in a holy place," he said.
The DP further said Ruto had ordered the police force to keep off any actions of violation of the law.
On his part, Ruto apologized to the church saying the attack was his fault as he was part of the team that had formed the administration.
"To the church, I'm so sorry. I am apologizing."
On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Ruto, then the DP, travelled to the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kenol for a Harambee.
Shortly before his arrival, two buses with youths got to the church and started throwing stones at the church compound.
They said they had been mobilised by politicians with the promise of receiving Sh1,000.
The chaos increased as police joined in throwing teargas cannisters at politicians outside the church.
