When church becomes battlefield: Two arrested with guns, 29 bullets in Lavington church

A church in Nairobi County was on Friday turned into a battlefield as two rival groups clashed over its leadership.

The two rival groups engaged in a physical confrontation at the Lavington Methodist Church, in a scene that has never been witnessed in the affluent neighbourhood.

One group led by the incoming bishop Rev Dr Joseph Kanyamu, accompanied by over 60 congregants, forcefully gained entry into the church's office.

They reportedly broke its glass doors, in a bid to eject Bishop Joseph Ntombura whose term has expired.

"In the ensuing melee, the church guard who was overwhelmed by the faithful-turned goons, alerted police officers based at Kileleshwa police station who responded immediately," reads a police report.

A contingent of police officers led by sub-county police commander and the DCIO managed to contain the situation.

"However, two of Rev Kanyamu’s men were found to be armed with glock semi automatic pistols, loaded with a total of 29 rounds of ammunition, 9mm callibre.

"The two armed men Kisito Matete, 43, and Peter Murasi, 36, were disarmed, arrested and escorted to Kilimani police station where they’re currently being held," adds the police report.

The church remains under 24-hour police surveillance, until such a time when the two factions would have solved their differences.