According to police, the spree began over the weekend and targeted churches in different parts of the county. In each case, intruders forced entry at night, stole electronics, sound equipment, and offerings, and left behind signs of deliberate vandalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it was the incident at St Philip AIPCEA that shocked congregants most. Witnesses said the suspects did not just steal. They opened the sacramental wine and drank it. They ate the communion bread meant for Sunday service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just theft. It\u2019s sacrilege,\u201d said *Mzee Joseph Ndegwa*, an elder at the church. \u201cWhen people start touching holy things, you know desperation has turned into something darker. We come here to pray for peace, and now we don\u2019t even have peace in God\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mary Wanjiku, a choir member who arrived early for Monday morning practice, said she was left trembling. \u201cWe pray here. We bury here. We get married here,\u201d she said, pointing at the broken tabernacle. \u201cIf criminals can come and eat God\u2019s food, what does that say about us? I asked myself, is nowhere sacred anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another resident, *Peter Kariuki* from Riagacingi village, said the community is afraid. \u201cThis is the third church in two days. We are tired of waking up to bad news. We work hard, we tithe, and then someone comes at night and drinks the wine we set aside for communion. It hurts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police have not confirmed whether the same gang carried out all three break-ins, but the timing and methods suggest coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal confirmed that detectives have opened an OB and are pursuing leads. \u201cWe have launched urgent investigations into the three incidents. We are analyzing footprints, statements, and possible suspects,\u201d Okal said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI urge members of the public to volunteer any information to help us arrest these people. At the same time, let us remain calm and not take the law into our own hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that the desecration aspect is being treated seriously. \u201cConsuming sacramental items goes beyond theft. It is disrespectful and we want to know the motive behind it,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS IN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Riagacingi Location Chief Henry Mwangi said he had convened a baraza with village elders after the incident. \u201cThis is very shameful. Churches are supposed to be safe places,\u201d the chief said. \u201cWe are doing night patrols with nyumba kumi officials. I ask parents to watch their children. Some of these acts are being done by people we know in the village. If you see something, say something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He appealed to residents to install security lights and grills. \u201cCriminals are becoming bold because some churches are not secure. Let us protect what belongs to God,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THE BIGGER CONCERN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For congregants, the raids raise a painful question that has been echoing across Kirinyaga lately: if even the house of God is not safe, where is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt feels like nothing is sacred anymore,\u201d said Jane Nyambura, a church treasurer. \u201cFirst it was theft in homes, now it\u2019s in church. What will they do next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Gitonga, a boda boda rider who worships at a nearby church, said he now fears for his own place of worship. \u201cWe are all watching each other now. We sleep with one eye open. This is not the Kirinyaga we know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHAT NEXT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For now, St Philip AIPCEA will hold service without wine and without the instruments that were taken. The congregation has started a harambee to replace what was lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police say they expect to make arrests in the coming days and have asked churches across the county to report any suspicious persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mzee Ndegwa put it while locking the damaged church door: \u201cIn Kirinyaga, something is always being taken. This time, they took from God\u2019s house. We are praying that God exposes them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blazepointmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1000115723-852x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blazepointmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1000115730.jpg\")