Nakuru: Hundreds of Nakuru residents and members of the Presbyterian church held a peaceful procession Friday to condemn the killing of a church minister and demand for justice. Slain Presbyterian Church in East Africa (PCEA) Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia, who was eulogized as a dedicated and humble servant of God, was brutally killed a week ago in his official residence. His killers remain unknown, though security agencies have given an assurance that they will be brought to book.
According to Kenya News Agency, the procession was led by scores of Presbyterian ministers who were clearly affected by the brutal murder of one of their own. The peaceful protesters later congregated at the PCEA Tabuga Church, where the attack was carried out, for prayers. The clergy had, earlier in the day, led worshippers in conducting a memorial service for the minister, who touched the lives of those whom he served and whose sermons deeply impacted his community.
His sudden passing last week, following a brutal attack at his church residence at Tabuga village in Bahati Sub-County, has left the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and the wider Nakuru community in profound shock. Nakuru North Sub-County Police Commander Charity Karimi assured residents that investigations were in top gear to track down the killers and establish their motive. She urged church elders, congregants, and members of the public to volunteer any information that may yield crucial leads behind the heinous crime, adding that it was unfortunate that criminal elements would target the man of the cloth.
Speaking during the memorial service for the church minister at the PCEA Neema Church, Karimi assured locals that a dedicated Directorate of Criminal Investigations team is probing the murder and pledged an open, transparent investigation into the attack. The horrific and terrifying act, carried out within a place of worship, has shaken not only the Christian community but society as a whole.
Past Moderator Reverend David Gathanju described the killing as a tragic loss, noting that the church is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, hope, and refuge. ‘Many questions remain on why this was done. Life is sacred, and no one should take it unjustly. We cannot normalize the shedding of innocent blood. We demand accountability. We cannot diminish the gravity of this incident and urge security agencies swiftly and thoroughly to investigate the cold-blooded murder,’ stated Reverend Gathanju.
Residents say the attack reflects a broader pattern of insecurity that has sparked protests in recent months, with organized criminal gangs blamed for a wave of violent incidents across the city. They called for immediate and thorough investigations into the murder, increased police patrols, and proactive measures to curb criminal activity and restore public confidence.
