10 people arrested over burning down of five churches in Kisii

Police in Kisii have arrested 10 people in connection with a wave of arson attacks which have resulted in damages to five churches and several homes in Otamba village, Nyaribari Chache, Kisii County.

According to Kisii Deputy County Commissioner Ibrahim Mohammed, those arrested on Tuesday are currently undergoing interrogation at the Kisii county DCI headquarters to reveal the motive behind the arson attacks against churches in the area.

Senior county security officials said night patrols in the area would be intensified from 9pm to dawn to flush out suspects in the area.

The officials on Tuesday held a meeting comprised of the clergy, local leaders and residents, that agreed on more collaboration with security agencies in a bid to bring back normalcy.

Five churches were burnt in a span of just 4 days, with the residents indicating that the activities usually occur between 1am and 3am.

The first incident was reported on January 20 when St. Monica Church was burnt in the wee hours of the morning.

Barely a day later, three other worship centres; Worldwide Church, Seventh Day Adventist and Legio Maria churches also fell victim. The Pentecostal Church has now become the latest casualty being on Sunday January 24.

Strangely, however, the satisfaction of the said arsonists is seeing the alters of the church literally on fire.