Thieves break into pastor Ezekiel's church, steal covenant box

Police in Kilifi are investigating an incident where five men broke into pastor Ezekiel Odero's New Life Church and Prayer Centre last night and stole a covenant box.

Kilifi North police Boss, Stanley Tonui confirmed the incident saying two security guards and one suspect aged 24 years have been arrested in connection to the robbery as investigations continue.

Other items stolen are an item known as 'Chuma ya meno saba', One tray with a kettle and six cups all gold-plated whose value has not been established.

Police report that five men who were dressed in police jungle fatigues armed with pangas jumped over the perimeter wall into the church compound and went inside the church hall where they found three men praying.

They blindfolded them, tied their hands using sisal ropes and made them lie down facing the floor.

New Life Church and Prayer Centre Administrator Samuel Dungah calls it a crime of disrespect and hate, saying the covenant box was a holy one brought from Israel.

''The covenant box was imported from Israel. The pastor prayed and blessed it and placed it in the church'' he said.

It is devastating to know that thieves entered the most sacred space of our Church and took holy items. It is a heinous act of disrespect; he added.

In addition, he says the situation is calm and church activities are going on as normal.

''As for now we treat it as a normal theft as we wait for the police to finish their investigations'' he said.