Angry mob burns down bishop’s home in Kirinyaga over man’s death

A bishop in Kirinyaga County has been left counting losses after an angry mob torched his home and looted property following the death of a 30-year-old man in Ciagini, Mwea.

Bishop Simon Wachira of Ambassadors for Christ Ministry Church lost his homestead, estimated to be worth millions of shillings, after residents stormed and set it ablaze.

The residents accused the bishop of hiring three men, two of them his cousins, to assault Martin Kara, who was later pronounced dead near a local private hospital.

Trouble began after the victim’s family raised the alarm, drawing the attention of villagers who responded in anger.

It is alleged that the bishop, who was Kara’s neighbour, had accused him of stealing a 90kg bag of rice from his home and a chicken from his cousins the previous day.

Enraged residents descended on the bishop’s compound and set it on fire, forcing him to flee in a vehicle moments before they arrived.

Police officers from Ciagini Police Station were initially overpowered, prompting reinforcement from Mwea West Sub-County headquarters at Kiamaciri Police Station. Despite their presence, the mob still torched the house.

According to residents, Bishop Wachira hails from Marura village and had acquired land in Ciagini where he built his home and the church, which has previously hosted several political leaders.

“It’s sad that all his properties and even church clothes had been stolen,” said Beatrice Nyaguthii.

Police have since mounted security at Ambassadors for Christ Ministry Church to prevent further destruction, spending the night guarding the premises as tension remained high in the area.

Residents made away with several items from the house, including a generator, furniture, sofa sets, title deeds, logbooks and iron sheets.

“This is our property. He was even stealing our wives. We don’t need him in Ciagini,” some residents were heard shouting as they carried away the items.

Mwea West Sub-County Police Commander Millicent Ngugi confirmed the incident, saying investigations have been launched.

“It is a very sad incident, but the DCI is investigating the matter. People should not take the law into their own hands,” she said.