Concern as Church Robberies Escalate in Kirinyaga County
A relative of one of the suspects disclosed that the young man who was arrested, a Form Two school dropout, was jailed for the same offence last year.
In a surprise move, they left all the church furniture.Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Residents of Kirinyaga County have expressed alarm at a recent upsurge in the break-ins at churches within the locality, where thieves have stolen items as varied as musical instruments and cash to sacramental wine and bread. The trend has generated anger and fear among churchgoers, who are now calling for improved security at churches.
The most recent such case was at ACK Ng’othi Church in Mutithi Ward, Mwea West Sub-county, where thieves broke into the church on Saturday night and made off with more than KSh 100,000 worth of church items. According to the church’s vicar, Rev. Dennis Muriuki, the thieves broke in through the main door before making away with music instruments, two gas cylinders, and other valuables. In a surprise move, they left all the church furniture.
“The robbery was just hours to our Sunday service, and it made it very difficult for us to conduct worship without instruments. It was disheartening to the congregation,” Rev. Muriuki explained. He added that one of the suspects was already apprehended while attempting to sell some of the robbed items at Makutano Trading Centre.
Police investigations later revealed that the suspect had sold a musical instrument valued at KSh 30,000 at just KSh 1,500 to a local businesswoman. Both the suspect and the woman who purchased the item were arrested, and the officers managed to recover most of the items stolen, though the two gas cylinders have not been recovered.
The recent burglary adds to a worrying trend in the area. ACK Ng’othi Church is the third Anglican Church of Kenya branch in Mutithi Ward to be struck by thieves in a span of a few months. In a similar attack last month, Kiamaciri ACK Church was burgled by thieves who stole all its sound equipment and other items of value. Earlier in the month, St. Matthew’s ACK Mutithi was also visited by thieves who did not only steal items but were reported to have consumed altar wine and eaten sacramental bread before they got away.
Citizens have been annoyed by the rising insecurity and are demanding that authorities move quickly. They are calling for churches to employ trained night guards and police to intensify night patrols.
A relative of one of the suspects disclosed that the young man who was arrested, a Form Two school dropout, was jailed for the same offence last year. “We were surprised when he confessed that he committed the crime alone. It’s unfortunate that he has not learned from his previous mistakes,” the relative said.
As investigations continue, residents and religious leaders are calling for more security to guard the churches and deter any similar attacks on houses of worship.
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