Thieves rob Kirinyaga churches, eat communion and drink sacramental wine before stealing electronics
By William Muthama, August 21, 2026Churches in Kirinyaga County have come under a wave of break-ins, with thieves targeting places of worship and stealing electronic equipment worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.
The latest incidents were reported in Murang’a, Ndia, on Friday, August 21, 2026, where two churches were broken into, and equipment valued at about Ksh400,000 was stolen.
What shocked worshippers, however, was what the thieves did before leaving the churches.
The suspects ate Communion and drank sacramental wine before making their escape.
Churches targeted
At Kiamathakwa ACK Church, thieves gained entry by removing a section of the church’s glass before stealing electronic equipment.
Kiamathakwa ACK Church accountant Paul Ngiri said the incident was reported after the thieves broke into the church and stole equipment used during worship.
Rev. Josephat Mutugi said the thieves made away with two television screens that had recently been bought by the church.
“They were able to carry two TV screens, 55 inches,” Mutugi said.
He said the thieves also attempted to access the church’s strong room, where other instruments were stored, but failed.
“They tried to break into that place, but they were not able to get access to it,” he said.
The incident was reported at Kiamashiri Police Station, where police officers visited the scene and launched investigations.
Communion consumed
The thieves’ actions inside the churches left worshippers particularly surprised.
Before fleeing, they ate Communion and drank the church’s sacramental wine.
The incident came just a day after another church in the area was broken into, raising concern over what church officials described as a growing pattern of attacks.
Several other churches have also reportedly been targeted or faced attempted break-ins.
Security concerns
Ngiri said the incidents were becoming a worrying trend in the area, with churches increasingly being targeted.
He mentioned PCEA and Nyanga Catholic Church among churches where reports of break-ins or attempted attacks had emerged.
“It’s a trend that is there around this place, and we want to request the security agency and officers to try and make sure that security is enhanced around this place,” Ngiri said.