Church alarmed by theft from holy coffers

Church leaders are alarmed by the rise of theft cases in churches.

Speaking on Wednesday at St Peters ACK church in Siaya town during a meeting with the business community, Bishop Joseph Wasonga of ACK Maseno Diocese said at least five churches have been broken into in the last five months.

“This trend is really worrying and it’s a clear indication that people no longer respect the church,” said Bishop Wasonga.

He added that the trend has cost churches property worth millions of shillings including wines and other valuables.

Wasonga claimed that the gangs terrorising residents are working hand-in-hand with local youths to perpetrate the vice.

“These are well-executed criminal activities being conducted by local youth and outsiders,” said Wasonga blaming the police for their laxity in arresting and prosecuting the thieves who are known by the locals.

This comes a few months after Bishop Johannes Angela of ACK, Bondo diocese, was carjacked by armed robbers along Bondo-Ndori road and dumped in Gem Sirembe.

They urged the county commissioner to step up efforts in the fight against theft to build a good environment for investment.

He said, “With rampant cases of insecurity, investors will not be comfortable setting up their businesses.”

Wasonga at the same time challenged leaders, telling them that they have a stake in business and should therefore assist traders in acquiring resources for purposes of development.