Kisii family demolishes kitchen after ‘Virgin Mary’ image draws crowds

Residents of Emenwa village in Nyamache, Kisii County, have expressed disappointment after the owner of a homestead where an image believed to be of the Virgin Mary had appeared decided to bring down the mud-walled kitchen that had become a major attraction.

Sixty-five-year-old Andrew Onsombi says he made the decision in order to have peace and normalcy at his homestead.

On Tuesday morning, the village was marked by an unexpected development — the demolition of the mud-walled house which had, just a few days ago, become an unlikely shrine where many flocked to have a glimpse of what they claimed to be the image of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Unlike the situation witnessed there a few days ago, the road leading to the homestead of 65-year-old Andrew Onsombi was now unusually quiet.

Inside the homestead, Citizen TV encountered a completely different picture from the one left behind on Sunday.

The house that had become the centre of attraction is no more.

The wall where many believers claimed to have seen the face of the mother of Jesus has been brought down. Mzee Onsombi could no longer host the 'pilgrims'.

The action has drawn mixed reactions, with some residents disappointed by the homeowner's decision to abruptly bring the activities here to a halt.

“Mimi nilienda nikaona Maria, lakini sasa mzee alifanya vibaya. Ile ni baraka, aliangusha huko,” said a resident, Dickson Obure.

For the past few days, this homestead was more of a pilgrimage site, with people flocking from far and wide. But today, it lies in ruins.

According to the owner, Onsombi says he decided to do this for the sake of his family and also for his peace of mind.

Although Mzee Onsombi declined to speak to us on camera, he says he had become overwhelmed by the large number of people flocking to his homestead.

But for some residents, there is no doubt about what they claim to have seen on the wall.

They believe the image could appear again, perhaps on another section of the main house.

“Nilifika nikaona yule ni Maria alikuwa. Sasa Father alikuja, labda hakuomba, maybe. Huko hukuwa unaenda hivi hivi kabla hujaomba, ulikuwa uombe ndio uone Maria. Sasa Father hakuomba maybe, alafu anasema ni vitu za AI,” said Emmanuel Mochama.

Jared Nyambati said, “Mkazi Emenwa... alikuwa anaanza kuonekana mwezi wa tano. Padre alisema kanisa ijengwe hapa, na mzee wa boma alikataa. Akienda kuboma ukuta, hiyo image ya Yesu inaonekana... na kama huna imani huoni.”

Mzee Onsombi's wife, who was also at the centre of the events surrounding the image, is said to be away receiving counselling.

Meanwhile, some residents are still calling for the site to be preserved and a Catholic church built on the land.