Residents of Njathaini and Gituamba villages in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, have raised alarm over the increased cases of thugs breaking into churches and stealing property worth millions of shillings.

The locals claimed that notorious criminals have in the past two weeks invaded about five churches in the villages and stolen musical instruments and electronics worth millions of cash.

Some of the churches that were affected in recent robberies include Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), African Inland Church (AIC) and Seventh Day Adventist.

The locals, who are worshippers in the churches, claimed that a criminal gang targeting the churches has been invading the churches at night, while armed with crude weapons.

John Kigotho, chairman of ACK church in Njathaini village told journalists on Monday April 8, 2024 that the criminals broke into the church on the night of Monday last week and made away with a Piano and water dispenser worth Ksh94,000.

Kigotho, who’s also a village elder in the area, said that they are suspecting that the theft was orchestrated and perpetrated by a group of youths, whom he said have declined to engage in decent jobs to earn a living.

He claimed that the group spends most of their time during the day drinking cheap liquor at a local bar located at the village center and just a few meters from Njathaini primary school.

Meanwhile, Kigotho called on authorities in Gatundu North to close the liquor joint, saying that it has been harboring criminals who terrorise the locals at night.

Elsewhere, at AIC church in Gituamba village, elder Francis Ndung’u said that the criminals broke three doors to gain entry into the church before escaping with two guitars valued at Ksh70,000.

Ndung’u also laid blame on the ‘lazy’ young men in the village whom he said are leaving nothing to chance to satisfy their thirst for alcohol. He noted that the idlers are behind the rise of insecurity in the villages.

Additionally, at Full Gospel Church in Njathaini village, the thugs were unlucky as the church members had already stored their instruments in a safe place outside the church after word reached them of the break-in incidents.

Peter Githua and Anastacia Njeri, who are members of the church, said that they had already moved their valuables a day before the criminals broke into the church through a window.

The locals called on the area authorities to beef up security by enhancing night patrols so as to stem the vice. They also called for thorough investigations and arrest of the culprits.

However, Geoffrey Ng’ang’a of ACK called on the police to dismantle the cartel targeting church resources saying that there’s a likelihood that there’s a ready market for the musical instruments and electronics.