Archbishop Ole Sapit calls on the Church to uphold sanctity after Witima ACK incident
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Jackson Ole Sapit has condemned the recent violence at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, urging the Church and worshippers to maintain peace and protect the sanctity of sacred spaces.
In a devotion shared on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Archbishop reflected on the biblical teaching from Mark 3:22-30, emphasising that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
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He highlighted the significance of a house in African culture as more than just walls and a roof, but a space where children are protected, elders are honoured, and families gather safely.
“Title: What Has Become of the House of God? Scripture: Mark 3:22-30 “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25 Devotion: In our African understanding, a house is more than walls and a roof. It is where children are protected, where elders are honoured, and where the family gathers in safety,” he wrote.
He noted that a house rarely collapses because of external pressure alone; it gives way when its foundation is compromised from within.
The Archbishop expressed deep sorrow for the children and worshippers harmed in the church, a space intended for shelter, prayer, hope, and repentance.
“A house is not divided along clan, party, or power; it stands because those within it recognise that they belong to one another. As Kenyans, we have been reminded time and again that we are one people, and that when the house is broken, it is the children who suffer first,” he added.
Sapit described the events at Witima ACK as a violation of the altar and the sacred purpose of the church, where worshippers were forced to flee as tear gas filled the sanctuary.
He also highlighted the attacks outside the church, where vehicles were pelted with stones, and some assailants carried tear gas canisters while wearing jungle jackets.
The Archbishop stressed that the Church cannot operate through disorder or fear and that acts of violence within worship spaces threaten unity and the mission of God’s work.
“We share this devotion with heavy hearts, mindful of those, especially our children, who were harmed in a place meant to shelter them. What unfolded yesterday at ACK Witima, a space of worship, grieves us deeply. God’s children were hurt within the very place meant to shelter them. Children struggled to breathe where prayers should rise freely. Fear entered a sanctuary meant for peace. The altar of Christ, set apart for worship, repentance, and hope, was violated,” he wrote.
He underlined that the Church is meant to be a dwelling place for the Spirit of God, not a battleground for competing powers, and that such incidents demonstrate a misunderstanding of God’s ways.
“As a Church, we condemn these acts without hesitation, and we stand in grief and solidarity with those who were injured, frightened, and shaken. We carry especially our children before the Lord, asking that He heals what their young hearts and bodies were forced to endure,” he shared.
He called on the Church to remain steadfast in its mission, urging leaders and worshippers to preserve the sanctity of worship spaces, respond with faithfulness and reverence, and resist forces that seek to turn prayer into conflict. He also prayed for the healing and protection of those affected, particularly the children who were traumatised by the incident.
“Prayer: Lord Jesus, draw near to all who were hurt and shaken in Your house. Heal our children, comfort the fearful, and cleanse what was defiled. Guard Your Church from every spirit that seeks to turn worship into conflict, and rebuild us in Your peace. Amen. Benediction: May the Lord who gathers the wounded, restores the broken, and guards His dwelling place establish your heart in truth and keep you firm in His peace. Amen,” he wrote.
The violence at Witima ACK Church occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were forced to flee after police fired tear gas inside the church.
Witnesses reported attacks outside the church, including stones thrown at vehicles.
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