A court has acquitted eight people charged over the violence that erupted at St. Stephen's ACK Cathedral, ruling that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain the case against them.
The eight were represented by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, who successfully argued that the accused had no case to answer.
In its ruling, the court found that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case and ordered the release of all eight suspects.
The decision brings to a close one of the cases arising from the violent events that unfolded at St. Stephen's ACK Cathedral, a church that became the center of national attention after it hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a Sunday service.
The service, held amid heightened political tensions, attracted hundreds of worshippers, political leaders, and supporters. However, before the service concluded, chaos erupted outside the church when groups of youths clashed with worshippers and security volunteers.
Videos circulating on social media showed running battles around the church compound, with stones being thrown, property damaged, and several people injured. Opposition leaders accused hired goons of attempting to storm the cathedral to disrupt the service and intimidate congregants, allegations that government leaders denied.
Police later intervened to disperse the crowds and launched investigations into the violence. In the aftermath, several people were arrested and charged with various offences, including participating in the disturbance.
From the outset, the defence maintained that the eight accused were not part of the group that instigated the violence but were among worshippers and volunteers who had remained behind to protect the church, fellow congregants, and church property after individuals allegedly attempted to raid the cathedral.
Led by Orengo, Owino, and Odhiambo, the defence argued that the prosecution had failed to produce credible evidence placing the accused among those responsible for the violence.
They contended that the arrests were indiscriminate and that the accused had instead acted to shield the church from attackers during the confrontation.
After reviewing the evidence presented, the court agreed with the defence, finding that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case requiring the accused to be placed on their defence.
The court consequently ruled that the eight had no case to answer and ordered their acquittal.
The ruling was welcomed by the defence team, who described it as a vindication of the accused and a reaffirmation of the principle that criminal prosecutions must be supported by credible evidence rather than suspicion.
"The court has affirmed that justice must be based on evidence, not assumptions," members of the defence team said after the ruling.
The violence at St. Stephen's ACK Cathedral intensified political tensions between the government and opposition, with opposition leaders accusing state agencies of failing to prevent the attack on a place of worship. Government officials, on the other hand, condemned the violence but rejected claims of state involvement, insisting that law enforcement agencies would investigate all those responsible regardless of political affiliation.
Although the eight suspects have now been acquitted, investigations into the violence at the cathedral are expected to continue as authorities seek to identify those responsible for organizing and carrying out the attack.
The case has remained one of the most politically sensitive arising from recent confrontations surrounding opposition gatherings, underscoring concerns over political violence and security at public and religious events as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
