PCEA’s Rev Julius Ndumia to be buried on Monday after brutal killing at his home
By Steve Ireri, May 6, 2026The late Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia, a Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) minister who was killed by unknown assailants inside his home, will be laid to rest on Monday, May 11, 2026.
According to a burial programme released by the church on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the service will take place at Thegenge Parish under Nyeri Presbytery. The arrangements were agreed upon by the Presbytery in consultation with the General Assembly (GA) Office.
“UPDATES ON BURIAL PREPARATION. Good evening, and praise God. We wish to bring to your attention the following developments regarding the burial preparations of Rev. Julius Ndumia: The Presbytery, in consultation with the GA Office, has reached an agreement on the following: 1. The burial will take place on *Monday, 11th May,” the statement read in part.
In the lead-up to the burial, two memorial services have been scheduled.
The first will be held on Friday, May 8, at 10:00 a.m. at Neema Church, Wema Parish, in Nakuru East Presbytery, while the second will take place on Sunday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Baraka Parish, Macedonia Church, in Kajiado Presbytery.
A peaceful procession has also been planned for Friday, starting at 2:00 p.m., beginning from Cool Rivers Hotel in Nakuru to Tabuga Parish. Church ministers have been requested to attend the procession dressed in cassocks.
“2. The burial site will be at *Thegenge Parish, Nyeri Presbytery. 3. There will be two memorial services as follows: a) *Friday, 8th May at 10:00 AM – Neema Church, Wema Parish (Nakuru East Presbytery) b) *Sunday, 10th May at 2:00 PM* Baraka Parish, Macedonia Church (Kajiado Presbytery) 4. There will be a peaceful procession on Friday from 2:00 PM, starting from the Cool Rivers hotel in Nakuru to Tabuga Parish. All ministers are requested to be in cassocks,” the statement added.
The church further called on well-wishers to support the family financially, directing contributions through Rev. Lawrence Kinyanjui Kihuyu, while urging members to continue keeping the bereaved family in their prayers.
Untimely demise
The burial plans come days after the Presbyterian Church of East Africa confirmed the death of Rev. Ndumia in a statement issued on May 4, 2026.
In the statement, the church described the incident as a tragic loss, revealing that the clergyman, who served at Tabuga Parish in Nakuru East Presbytery, was attacked by unknown criminals at his residence within the church compound.
“PROMOTION TO HIGHER GLORY OF REV. JULIUS NGARI NDUMIA. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia. The Moderator Rt. Rev Thegu Mutahi has shared a condolence message as quoted below,” the statement shared by Kirk TV read.
The Moderator of the church, Rt Rev. Thegu Mutahi, said the attack occurred at around 10:00–11:00 p.m., adding that Rev. Ndumia was killed in what he termed a cold-blooded act.
He noted that the church leadership delayed making the announcement until the immediate family, including his wife, Esther Wangui, and both sets of parents, had been informed.
According to the church, a watchman who was present during the incident was also injured, further highlighting the severity of the attack.
“Good afternoon and Praise God. This is a very sad day for our Church, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, because this morning we woke up to very sad news of the death of our minister of Nakuru East Presbytery. The Minister Tabuga Parish, Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia was assaulted by unknown criminals last night at around 10/11 pm. Killed in cold blood. We got the information early today, but we had to let the next of kin be made aware, his wife, Esther Wangui, and his parents on both sides,” the moderator said.
The moderator also described the killing as a heinous act and said efforts were underway to pursue justice, revealing that he had engaged area leaders, including a local Member of Parliament, who in turn contacted the Inspector General of Police to follow up on the matter.
The church extended its condolences to the family, including his wife, children, parents, the Tabuga Parish congregation, Nakuru East Presbytery, and the wider PCEA fraternity.
“We are very sad because death is painful, and it is even more painful when it comes through criminality. I have talked to the area MP, Mheshimiwa Irene, who is our member, and she has talked to the IG, and they are following up on the matter. Other than the minister, the watchman was also wounded. It was in the church manse in Tabuga. It is very unfortunate that such a heinous act can happen,” he added.