Ten individuals are currently recovering in the hospital following injuries sustained during a clash at Nyabigena Adventist Church in South Mugirango, Kisii County.
The incident erupted between two rival groups disputing the church’s leadership, in a video that went viral on social media.
The clip starts with two women wearing turbans, appearing to belong to different groups, engaged in a heated argument inside the church.
According to the reports, the groups involved in the dispute are from Adventist Church and the Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference (NCC), which apparently broke away from the Adventist congregation.
Despite the split, both factions still conduct their services at the church premises on Saturday.
The argument between the women grabbed the men’s interest leading them to encircle one of the ladies, trying to remove her from the church forcefully.
Tension rose as members from both side engaged in a physical fight, wielding plastic chairs as weapons.
The conflict intensifies, extending beyond the church’s walls after a few minutes leading to injuries of ten individuals.
“This all started with my father. The other side was not welcomed here. They sent thugs to intimidate us and force us out, leading to the violent attack,” Penwel Nyambane, an NCC member caught up in the chaos, told journalists.
“Even though NCC is not part of the Adventist Church, they have been utilizing our space for years,” Martha Bosibori, another individual explained.
The two factions have pledged to address the matter this upcoming Saturday .