Faithful protest alleged St Peter's Oyugis land grab

 

The main entrance to St Peter’s Oyugis Catholic Parish in Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

Tension has gripped St Peter’s Oyugis Catholic Parish in Homa Bay County after congregants protested against a private developer accused of grabbing the church’s land.

Worshippers were shocked on Saturday when they discovered that an unidentified individual had used a tractor to plough part of the church land overnight. The land, part of the church compound, is also used by pupils of St Peter’s Comprehensive School for physical education.

Parish Council Chairman Maurice Otieno said their security guard reported the incident, prompting him to mobilise congregants. By 1pm, a large group had gathered at the church.

The faithful held a peaceful protest, waving twigs and chanting songs expressing their dissatisfaction. However, tensions escalated when youths vandalised a barbed-wire fence erected by the alleged land grabber and set the posts and wire ablaze.

Otieno and Parish Secretary Vincent Okoth condemned the incident, stating that the land has belonged to the church since 1974 and has never been contested. A report was filed at Oyugis Police Station.

“We urge security agencies to protect this sacred land from selfish interests,” said Okoth.

Charles Nyagol, Chair of the school’s Board of Management, said over 500 pupils were affected, with access to latrines blocked by the fence. The land was also a community football field.

“This field has nurtured local talent now playing in major Kenyan teams,” added Nyarombo FC captain, Vincent Otieno.