A troubling wave of church break-ins has shaken Kirinyaga County, leaving residents on edge and prompting police to intensify investigations into a growing trend of robberies targeting places of worship.
The latest incident struck the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) All Saints Gatwe, where thieves staged a daring overnight break-in. The criminals made away with five bottles of communion wine, three television sets, and the church’s entire sound system.
Father David Warui, the parish priest, revealed that Sunday’s service had ended without any incident. But by early Monday morning, parishioners were startled by screams and desperate prayers coming from inside the sanctuary. Rushing in, they found the church watchman tied up with ropes – clearly traumatized but thankfully alive.
“They unmounted the screens we usually use during service, and also raided the strong room, where they took a mixer,” said Reverend Warui.
Father Warui estimated the stolen items to be worth over one million shillings, describing the loss as both financially and spiritually devastating.
Outraged congregants condemned the attack as sacrilegious and urged the government to act swiftly in investigating the escalating church robberies. Many called for stronger security measures to protect houses of worship across the county.
“They also took a laptop and other small items from the church before proceeding to steal money and wine from the pastor’s office,” said Cyrus Njue, a congregant.
Njue added that the suspects also made away with a bottle that had contained the watchman’s tea.
Reports indicate that this was the fifth reported church robbery in the county within a span of three months.
This Gatwe break-in follows a similar incident just three weeks ago at another ACK church in Mwea. In that case, thieves not only stole valuable items but also consumed sacramental bread and communion wine – acts that many believers saw as deeply offensive.
Pastor Ezekiel’s Church Hit in Church Robbery Trend
The trend isn’t limited to Kirinyaga. In Kilifi County, Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s New Life Church and Prayer Centre was targeted Sunday night, June 1. According to Kilifi North Police Commander Stanley Tonui, five intruders disguised in police jungle uniforms scaled the church’s perimeter wall armed with pangas.
Inside the church hall, the attackers found three men deep in prayer. They blindfolded the worshippers, tied them up with sisal ropes, and forced them to lie on the floor before stealing valuables, including a sacred covenant box, a unique artifact called Chuma ya meno saba, and a gold-plated serving set consisting of a tray, kettle, and six cups.
Police arrested two security guards and a 24-year-old suspect in connection with the robbery. Investigations are ongoing, and the full value of the stolen items has yet to be determined.
The back-to-back incidents have left faith communities shaken, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard religious institutions across Kenya.
