Bishop Ben Muthee Kiengei of the Jesus Christ Compassion Ministry has condemned gender-based violence following an incident involving one of his church member, Elias Njeru.

Njeru, accused of stabbing his ex-partner Florence Wanjiku, is now facing legal action over the assault that occurred in Nakuru’s Olive area during an alleged domestic dispute.

During a Sunday service on November 24, Bishop Kiengei urged authorities to ensure justice prevails.

The cleric emphasized the church’s role in addressing sin, while highlighting the government’s mandate to handle criminal matters.

“The work of the preacher is to deal with sin, and the work of the government is to deal with crime. If there is a crime, allow the government and security personnel to handle it. All men in this church, we have enough respect for our women, and we don’t have any intention of harming them,” Kiengei stated.

The case took a significant turn on Monday, November 24, when Njeru surrendered to Nakuru Police Station, accompanied by his lawyer.

He was subsequently detained at Menengai Police Station and later arraigned before Principal Magistrate Daisy Mose at the Molo Law Courts. Njeru pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted murder.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court granted him bail, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution to deny his release.

Magistrate Mose set strict conditions for his freedom, including a prohibition against interfering with investigations or contacting the complainant.

The case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on December 9, 2024 with justice advocates closely monitoring developments.

This incident has sparked renewed calls for addressing gender-based violence, with Bishop Kiengei reiterating the importance of respecting women and condemning acts of violence within society.