Residents in Otamba sub location, Kisii Central sub county Kisii county are reeling in shock after unknown people torched five churches in the area and left a trail of destruction.
On Saturday night, arsonists broke into Otamba Pentecostal church and torched it barely a week after unknown arsonists torched four churches including Nyang’eni Seventh Day Adventist Church, St. Monica Otamba Catholic Church, Worldwide Gospel church and Legio Maria church.
Otamba Pentecostal church elder, Eric Ratemo said the arsonists entered the church through a window and set it ablaze. They did not steal anything, he told journalists yesterday.
He said a resident raised alarm at around 2.am yesterday after he heard an explosion and when they rushed to the church, they found smoke billowing.
“This is the fifth incident. It appears that the attackers are targeting churches. We pray for them to reform and turn to God to save them,” Ratemo told People Daily.
The elder said the church’s 250 faithful were forced to hold a church service in an under the scorching sun yesterday following the torching of their church.
In all the incidents, the arsonists did not anything.
Kisii University Chaplain, Father Lawrence Nyaanga condemned the incident and appealed to security officers to arrest and prosecute the culprits, saying their actions were devilish.
The priest, attached to the Kisii Catholic diocese said never before have churches been burnt in the area in quick succession, warning that the perpetrators could be abusing drugs, or were possessed with demons and needed prayers.
“There was a youth who used to break into and steal from churches in the area. It was unfortunate that he was lynched by members of the public. I urge the perpetrators to stop torching churches because they are risking their lives,” Father Nyaanga said.
It is only at the Worldwide Gospel church, Pastor Charles Mayore that the attackers burnt the roof and stole chairs forcing worshipers to borrow chairs from neighbors yesterday.
He said the church has 100 worshipers and few had turned up to worship due to lack of chairs and urged area member of Parliament, Richard Tong’i and Ward Representative, Kefa Mogaka to support the affected churches.
The pastor, flanked by church elder Daniel Ratemo, 70, urged members of community policing and security officers to intensify patrols in the area at night to arrest the perpetrators of the heinous acts.
“ The torching of churches in the area has created fear. We held a meeting with chiefs on Friday and no arrest has been made and this seems to embolden the arsonists,” Mayore said.
Selina Nyasuguta, whose home neighbours the Legio Maria said arsonists torched the church’s pit latrine and poured human waste at the door.
“It is shocking that people can invade churches and have the courage to scoop human waste, dump it on the church’s door and leave it stinking. It is unimaginable that people can sink that low,” Nyasuguta said.
Area Assistant Chief Thadeus Omosa urged locals to be vigilant and put out the fire whenever arsonists strike and also identify and report them to security officers for arrest and prosecution.
Locals interviewed accused some local youths of being behind the arson attacks on churches in the area.
Separately, the Apostolic church pastor, Lawrence Nyanuga begged the arsonists to return the stolen items and seek forgiveness and appealed to security agencies to beef up security in all churches in Nyaribari Chache to curb the vice.
And, small scale traders at Menyinkwa market along Kisii- Kilgoris road are counting their losses after arsonists torched their kiosks on Saturday night and burnt properties worth millions of shillings.
Stella Makemba, who lost 45 sacks of maize, two sacks of beans, a fridge and household items valued at Sh500,000 said she was woken up at around 2.am that her shop was on fire, only to find it had been razed.
“I am devastated. I have lost all my investments. I urge well-wishers to support me so that I can resettle,” Makemba said as she rummaged through the smoldering smoke.
She said other traders including Bevon Onkwani, Brian Isaac, Nancy Ong’au, Maureen Kerubo and Abraham Nyagwachi also lost property worth millions of shillings.
Market chairman, Yuvinalis Bosire urged the government to help the victims to recoup their losses, adding that some had secured loans and invested in the businesses and risked being auctioned.
“I urge the government to investigate the matter and arrest the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted to deter others,” Bosire said.
Former Defunct Kisii Municipal Council Deputy Mayor, Patrick Siro and pastor Ken Mogire also urged the government to install streetlights in the area and enhance patrols to beef up security.
Kisii County Police Commander, Jebel Munene said security officers are pursuing crucial leads to arrest suspects in connection with the torching of churches.
Speaking to The Informer on the phone after a stakeholders meeting at Otamba shopping centre, the Commander said officers have beefed up in the area to curb insecurity.
He appealed to members of the public to volunteer information to arrest culprits, saying the information will be treated with confidence.