Kirinyaga: Thieves steal electronics, consume holy communion

The Wednesday night break-ins targeted the ACK Muragara and PCEA Muragara churches, with the ACK congregation reporting losses estimated at more than Ksh 400,000.

The incidents have added to growing concern over a series of church burglaries reported in different parts of Kirinyaga over the past three weeks.

Other churches reportedly targeted during the period include Gatuto ACK in Kirinyaga Central, where electronics valued at more than Ksh500,000 were stolen; Karii PCEA in Kangai, Mwea, which lost electronics worth over Ksh500,000; AIPCA St Phillips Giacai in Kirinyaga Central, where thieves also consumed Holy Communion elements; and ACK Kiamathatwa in Kangai, Mwea.

At ACK Muragara, the suspects forced their way through the main church entrance before ransacking the building.

Church Chairman James Mathenge Thagana said the thieves accessed the area where Holy Communion is stored, consumed the wafers and drank the sacramental wine. The empty bottle was later discovered outside the church near the flower garden.

“They took away a bottle of wine and the sacrament that the priest uses during service, drank it and ate it all, then left the empty bottle outside near the flowers. It is very bad. Thieves are taking us back, yet churches pray for the country to have peace,” Thagana said.

Former church chairman Peter Migwi said an initial assessment established that the gang had stolen a sound mixer, speaker cables and other electronic equipment.

The suspects also broke into the church office, where they took a water dispenser, a keyboard valued at more than Ksh200,000, kitchen equipment and stationery.

Migwi said the estimated value of the confirmed losses had already exceeded Ksh400,000, with church officials still conducting a full inventory.

The consumption of the sacramental items shocked church leaders.

“It is very painful to hear that ACK church was broken into; thieves ate the sacrament and drank wine as if they had a preacher who was praying for the sacraments and wine for them. It is a shame,” said Geoffrey Miano Karimi, chairman of PCEA Muragara Church.

The neighbouring PCEA Muragara Church was also broken into during the same night.

Karimi said the church lost a gas cooker, commonly known as a meko, and several other items.

He said he was alerted by an ACK member following the break-in and was advised to check whether the PCEA church had also been targeted.

On arrival, he found the vestry door damaged and documents scattered across the room.

According to PCEA elder Ephraim Wanderi Murage, the intruders forced their way into the building and went through several cupboards.

“Our electronic items are usually locked in a strong room which they tried to break into in vain. That is why our machines were not stolen,” Wanderi said.

He added that the latest incident was not the first time the church had been targeted. In February, thieves reportedly stole a water tank, steel construction materials and other property.

Wanderi said other churches in the area had also experienced similar incidents, with an earlier suspect arrested following a burglary incident at one of the churches.

Church leaders and residents have linked the recent break-ins to what they describe as deteriorating security in the area.

They said the nearest police station at Kabonge is more than seven kilometres away and raised concerns over the withdrawal of officers from the Muragara Police Post.

Karimi said the absence of officers had left churches and residents vulnerable.

“We have a police post here at Muragara, but police officers were withdrawn for unknown reasons. We have a very big problem. I wish they were here; nothing could have been stolen,” he said.

He claimed the suspects also attempted to gain entry into the Full Gospel Church but fled after a neighbour switched on the lights.

Residents are now appealing to the government to restore police presence at Muragara Police Post, saying increased patrols and a permanent security presence are needed to stem the rising cases of church and property break-ins in the area.

The latest incidents have prompted church leaders to call for urgent action to improve security, as congregations continue to assess their losses and strengthen security around their premises.