Police car./FILE
Police are looking for a gang that raided a church in Kanyeki-ini Ward, Kirinyaga Central, and stole electronic equipment.
Congregants at Gatuto ACK Church were forced to worship without their usual sound system on Sunday after thieves broke into the church and stole electronic equipment valued at more than Sh500,000.
The thieves reportedly gained entry on Saturday after breaking through the church gate, a window and an inner door, before making away with speakers, a bass speaker, a mixer amplifier, receivers, microphones, a keyboard, connecting cables and a crossover.
Church People's Warden Stephen Munene said the break-in was discovered by Lucy Wachira, a church worker, who noticed signs of forced entry and raised the alarm.
James Macharia, who operates the church's sound system, said most of the stolen equipment was relatively new, and its absence was immediately felt during Sunday's service.
“We don’t know what we will do in the coming Sundays without the electronics. Today we were struggling and shouting at the top of our voices to sing or hear our reverend,” the three church officials said.
Munene said the incident was not the first time the church had been targeted by thieves.
He said criminals had previously stolen the church gate and water taps in separate incidents, raising concerns over the security of the church and other religious institutions in the area.
Church leaders have reported the latest theft to the police, who have launched investigations to establish the identity of the suspects and recover the stolen equipment.
Locals said theft targeting churches had become increasingly common in the area, urging authorities to strengthen security around religious institutions.
Elsewhere six people were injured after a perimeter wall collapsed on a church in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, following heavy rainfall.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026, while congregants were worshipping at Rama Messianic Fellowship in Trans Nzoia West Sub-County.
According to police, the wall collapsed onto the church compound, injuring six worshippers.
The injured worshippers were rushed to Dr Michuki Hospital, where five were treated and discharged in fair condition.
One was admitted to the hospital for further treatment.
The collapse also damaged church property, including 25 plastic chairs valued at Sh37,500, a tent worth Sh800,000 and electrical wiring valued at Sh25,000.
The total value of the damaged property was estimated at Sh862,500.
Police were informed of the incident at about 4:18pm as investigations into the cause of the wall collapse continued.
