The clergy community in Tigania West is reeling after a shocking attack on one of their own, Reverend Stephen Kaithia, who narrowly escaped death when armed robbers attempted to shoot him after an evening church crusade in Kathama ka Ahindi, Kianjai.
Rev. Kaithia was returning home when the attackers confronted him, demanding church offerings. In a miraculous turn of events, the bullet intended for him instead tore through his Bible, which was placed on the dashboard of his vehicle, before exiting through the windshield. The near-fatal incident has heightened concerns about the safety of religious leaders in the region, who are increasingly becoming targets of crime.
The Secretary General of the clergy union, Rev. Morris Lichoro, has called for urgent security reinforcements in Tigania, citing a worrying trend of church break-ins and theft of valuable equipment such as sound systems and furniture. These crimes, he noted, threaten the ability of churches to function effectively.
Bishop Francis Nchebere has put forth a bold suggestion to address the security crisis—arming local area chiefs with firearms to enhance their ability to respond swiftly to emergencies. He pointed out that the low police-to-citizen ratio in the region hampers law enforcement efforts, making it easy for criminals to operate with impunity.
Meanwhile, as President William Ruto prepares for his upcoming visit to Meru, local clergy have raised concerns over financial stability among pastors. Pastor Jediel Kirema urged that any donations made to churches during the visit should not be returned, as has happened previously. Instead, he proposed that these funds be directed into pastors’ savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOS) to improve their financial well-being and reduce the temptation for unethical financial practices.
Kirema emphasized that empowering pastors financially through SACCOs would enable them to focus on their spiritual work without economic distractions, thereby preventing the exploitation of congregants. The clergy believe that a financially stable pastorate is essential for fostering a strong, ethical, and well-functioning church community.
As Tigania West grapples with increasing church-related crimes, religious leaders are hopeful that both the government and local authorities will implement concrete security measures to safeguard their places of worship and ensure the safety of pastors and congregants alike.
