A gang of armed criminals raided the Elmarba Full Gospel Missionary Church in Ilbilisi, Kajiado County, on Monday morning, robbing a Korean missionary couple of approximately Sh260,000 in cash and valuables.
According to police reports, the assailants, wielding crude weapons, broke into the church premises by cutting the window grills. Once inside, they confronted Jongo Kim, 64, and his wife Young Me Kim, 60, who serve as missionaries in the area. The attackers tied the couple’s hands using manila ropes before ransacking their house.
During the robbery, the gang made away with four mobile phones, a wristwatch, two laptops, a gold necklace, a bracelet, a solar charger, Sh2,500 in cash, and USD20. Additionally, they electronically transferred Sh248,000 from Jongo Kim’s M-Pesa account and another Sh12,000 from Young Me Kim’s account.
In an apparent attempt to hinder investigations, the robbers also stole the church’s CCTV hard drive before fleeing to an unknown location. Police suspect the gang had prior knowledge of the missionaries’ operations, making the attack well-coordinated.
Authorities responding to the incident found the couple with bruises on their hands, although they were otherwise unharmed. A black torch was recovered at the scene, which could provide a vital lead in tracking down the perpetrators.
Detectives investigating the case believe the attackers were well-informed about the couple’s financial transactions and daily routine. As part of the probe, police are looking into individuals who had access to the missionaries’ activities.
The embassy in Nairobi has been formally notified of the attack, and authorities are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure justice is served. Police have expressed confidence in their leads and remain hopeful that the criminals will be apprehended soon.
Such incidents underscore the growing concern over security in the region, particularly for foreign nationals engaged in missionary and humanitarian activities. The authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to prevent similar attacks in the future.
As the investigation progresses, police are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Meanwhile, the Korean missionary couple continues to recover from the traumatic ordeal, hoping for justice and enhanced security measures in their area of service.
