Kiambu: Robbers smash into five churches and take goods worth millions.

Residents of Njathaini and Gituamba villages in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, have expressed concern about the rising number of thugs breaking into churches and stealing valuables worth millions of shillings. 

Locals stated that in the last two weeks, notorious criminals broke into roughly five churches in the villages and stole musical equipment and electronics worth millions of dollars.

Some of the churches targeted in recent thefts include Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), African Inland Church (AIC), and Seventh-day Adventist.

Local churchgoers stated that a criminal gang has been attacking the churches at night, equipped with primitive weapons.

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John Kigotho, chairman of the ACK church in Njathaini village, informed journalists on Monday, April 8, 2024, that burglars stormed into the church on Monday night last week and stole a piano and a water dispenser valued Ksh94,000.

Kigotho, a village elder in the vicinity, said they suspect the crime was coordinated and carried out by a gang of teenagers who have refused to work in decent employment.

He said that the gang spent the majority of their time during the day drinking cheap liquor at a local bar in the village centre, just a few metres from Njathaini Primary School.

Meanwhile, Kigotho urged authorities in Gatundu North to close the booze store, claiming that it has been harbouring criminals who terrorise the villagers at night.

Meanwhile, at AIC church in Gituamba village, elder Francis Ndung'u stated that the robbers destroyed three doors to gain admission into the church before fleeing with two guitars worth Ksh70,000.

Ndung'u also blamed the village's 'lazy' young males, claiming they leave nothing to chance to quench their craving for alcohol. He emphasised that idlers are to blame for the increase in local insecurity.

Furthermore, the attackers were unfortunate at Full Gospel Church in Njathaini hamlet, where church members had already stowed their instruments in a secure location outside the church after learning of the break-ins.

Peter Githua and Anastacia Njeri, church members, stated that they had previously moved their valuables a day before the crooks broke into the church through a window.

To combat the vice, the people urged the authorities to strengthen security by increasing night patrols. They also asked for rigorous investigations and the arrest of the perpetrators.

However, ACK's Geoffrey Ng'ang'a urged the police to dismantle the cartel targeting church resources, claiming that there is a ready market for musical instruments and technology.