Police chief summons priests after armed gangs target parishes

Kisumu Central police boss Mutune Maweu and other security officers inspect electronics that were recovered from a house rented by robbery suspects in Kisumu yesterday. At least seven parishes have been broken into, and cash and other valuables stolen by armed gangs. [Harold Odhiambo, Standard]

The police are investigating a spate robberies targeting Catholic parishes, and claim religious leaders could be involved.

At least seven parishes have been broken into, and cash and other valuables stolen by armed gangs.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church has also been affected, with its West Kenya Conference offices broken into last week and a security guard killed.

Intensify investigations

Yesterday, the police confirmed the robberies and said they had summoned priests in charge of the affected parishes as they intensify investigations.

Kisumu County Police Commander Benson Maweu said some top church leaders have been linked to the robberies in Catholic parishes in the last three months.

“We are closing in on the key suspects, and we (will) not mention names at this point. We are, however, summoning a number of the priests this week to shed more light on these robberies,” said Mr Maweu.

Fr George Odhiambo, a priest at St John Paul Rabuor parish, had reported that on August 5 at 11am, two armed men walked into the parish bookshop and stole money, a laptop and phones. This was barely two months after another attack at the same parish, during which the robbers left with money.

The attacks were reported at Ahero Police Station and three people have since been arrested.

“We suspect that the thugs are directed by people who know the parish very well,” said Fr Odhiambo.

In the same month, a gang of five broke into a priest’s room at Reru Parish and stole Sh146,000.

Additional reports indicate that two weeks ago, at Uradi Parish in Siaya, thugs broke into a priest’s office and made away with Sh180,000, which was to be remitted to the diocese the following day.

Further, Fr Francis Konyach of St Paul Kanyakwar Parish said thugs raided his house at 3am but fled when he raised the alarm. He said this would have been a second robbery. He had earlier had a 52-inch TV set and laptop stolen from him.

“No one was injured in the two incidences,” Fr Konyach said.

He added that the attacks had become commonplace in the community, forcing a vigilante group to be formed to tame the frequent attacks.

The attacks were reported at Riat Police Post.

In all the accounts, the priests who spoke to The Standard suspect the armed thieves are linked to people who know the operations of the parishes.

Kisumu Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo said the church was putting measures in place to secure parishes and churches.

“We will co-operate with the police to ensure that those involved are brought to book,” he said.

High level

Last Wednesday, a gang of five attacked SDA West Kenya Union Headquarters at Kanyakwar and killed a guard.

“We are still carrying out an inventory to identify what exactly was stolen as we heighten security,” said the church’s communication director, Philip Gai.

It was the third robbery at the offices in the last two years.

“There is a high level of insecurity in the area. However much we try to be safe, thugs keep terrorising residents,” said Mr Gai.

But the county police boss said his office has undercover police officers who will follow leads to arrest the suspects.