Drama as worshippers find gate to AIC Milimani Church locked

A worshipper of AIC Milimani Church in Nakuru tries to break a padlock on the church's main gate after some church leaders locked it following a court order yesterday. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

Nakuru, Kenya:  Worshipers at the African Inland Church Milimani in Nakuru were stranded yesterday morning after they found the main gate to the church locked by security guards following a court tussle.

Ten police officers armed with a court order had arrived at the church ahead of the Morning Prayer service and pinned the order on the gate before leaving. The guards then chained the gate and turned worshippers away.

Frustrated members of the congregation, including Sunday school children, held their services along the London-Prison road where they sang and prayed as residents turned up to watch the drama.

A number of worshippers later forcefully gained entry into the compound where they conducted the church service.

The stand-off began when four of the church members moved to court last week and obtained a temporary injunction restraining some church leaders, led by Rev Anthony Njoroge, from entering or running the affairs of the church until the case is heard and determined.

In the order issued on April 14, Nakuru Resident Magistrate Eunice Kelly also directed the Nakuru OCS to restrain the respondent's agents from accessing the premises until April 27, when the matter will come up for an inter-parties hearing.

LOCAL POLITICIAN

More than 80 worshippers who signed the petition are demanding the removal of Rev Njoroge, the previous election nullified and an interim office put in place to facilitate repeat elections.

Meanwhile, anxiety and fear has gripped families in a village in Gilgil after they were threatened with eviction from land they claim they were given by the late Cabinet minister Njenga Karume.

The residents of Kamathatha are accusing a prominent area trader and politician for their woes.

Over 600 youths who rely on sand harvesting are among those set to be evicted after they were served with a notice.

Following the incident, the irate residents held a demonstration in which they vowed not to budge from the farm located a few kilometres from Gilgil town.

The families called on the Lands ministry and the National Land Commission to intervene and address their woes.

Group chairman Sospeter Wamwangi said they had lived on the 50 acres for over 30 years.

He said the community received the prime land from the late minister but some people were keen to take it over.

"Karume gave the community 75 acres, 25 of which were allocated to a primary school," said Mr Wamwangi.