Nakuru: Slain Presbyterian Church in East Africa (PCEA) Minister, Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia, has been eulogized as a dedicated, humble, and ‘mission-oriented’ servant of God, whose life and sermons deeply impacted his community. His sudden passing last week, following a brutal attack at his Church residence at Tabuga village in Rongai Sub-county, has left the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and the wider Nakuru community in profound shock.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nakuru North Sub-county Police Commander, Ms. Charity Karimi, assured residents that investigations are 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 to those behind the heinous crime, adding that it was unfortunate that criminal elements would target the man of the cloth.
A postmortem examination revealed that the Church Minister died from asphyxiation and head injuries. Investigators confirmed that Ndumia was tied up before being fatally attacked by the suspected gang, who remain at large. Speaking during a memorial service for the Church Minister at the PCEA Neema Church, Ms. Karimi assured the residents that a dedicated Directorate of Criminal Investigations team is probing the murder and pledged an open, transparent investigation into the attack. She said police have intensified patrols and urged the public to share information.
Bahati Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Juma David, condemned the attack and said specialized detectives have been deployed to track down the attackers. Mr. David said the killing was unacceptable and that security agencies will not relent until those responsible are brought to book. ‘This horrific and terrifying act, carried out within a place of worship, has shaken not only the Christian community but society as a whole. The church is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, hope, and refuge. We will not relent until criminal elements are weeded out of the community,’ stated the Administrator.
Past Moderator, Reverend David Gathanju, described the killing as a tragic loss. ‘Many questions remain, 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.
Nakuru Senator, Tabitha Karanja, pressed for a swift investigation and warned that violence reaching the Altar signaled a deeper breakdown in social and moral order. Ms. Karanja expressed concern over what she described as a worrying surge in violent crime in Lanet Umoja and surrounding areas, including killings, assaults, and organized criminal activity. ‘We make an urgent and firm appeal to government authorities and security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to address the deteriorating security situation in our area,’ Ms. Karanja said. She called for immediate and thorough investigations into the murder, increased police patrols, and proactive measures to curb criminal activity and restore public confidence.
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.
