A church in Nyanjukini area of Gichugu Sub-County, Kirinyaga County is counting losses after thieves broke in and stole items valued at Ksh300,000.
Rev Susan Wambui of the ACK Kithara-Ini Church recounted that the unknown thieves broke into the main door and left with musical instruments, including speakers, microphones, and an amplifier.
She also noted that the unfortunate incident had left church members in shock since the area had never experienced such an ordeal.
“Yesterday there were thieves that broke into our church and carried the musical instruments which were worth Ksh300,000, this included the speakers, amplifier, microphones and accompaniments that are used in the publican desk system,” she said.
The church members have since called on authorities to intervene and arrest the burglars to restore sanity in the area.
Theft in Gatundu churches
The unfortunate ordeal comes months after a series of church burglaries witnessed in Gatundu North, Kiambu County.
In the string of burglaries, the criminal gangs were attacking area churches to steal percussion instruments, sound systems and in some instances, hymn books which they reportedly sold to available markets.
Affected churches included the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, and African Inland Church (AIC) among others at Njathaini and Gituamba villages.
Worshippers who spoke to journalists disclosed that the criminals invaded the church premises at night, armed with crude weapons.
Speaking on the thorny issue, John Kigotho chairman of ACK church in Njathaini village stated that he suspects that the theft was led by a group of youths who spend most of their day drinking cheap liquor at a notorious bar in the village centre.
“Authorities in Gatundu North must now shut down the liquor joint which we believe has been harbouring the criminals who terrorise us at night. We suspect that the burglary is being orchestrated by people well aware of the happenings in this village and in our churches,” he said.
