Worshippers at Gatuto ACK Church in Kanyeki-ini Ward, Kirinyaga Central, struggled to hold a Sunday service following a raid.
During the raid reported to have taken place on the night of August 8, the thieves stole electronic equipment valued at more than KSh500,000.
According to church leaders, the burglary suspects gained access to the church compound by breaking through the gate before forcing entry through a window and an inner door.
Among the items stolen were the church’s sound system, including speakers, a bass speaker, a mixer amplifier, receivers, microphones, a keyboard, connecting cables, and a crossover, according to church leaders.
James Macharia, who oversees the church’s sound system, noted that most of the equipment had been acquired recently during a church fundraising event.
“We are facing a major setback because the items stolen had been recently acquired and the church used over KSh 500,000 to make the purchase,” James Macharia stated.
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Details on Gatuto ACK Church Break-in
A church worker, Lucy Wachira, arrived at the premises as usual and had not noticed anything out of place.
However, she soon discovered a long wooden object, which is believed to have been used by the suspects, and immediately called her father to inquire.
After interaction with her father, the worker proceeded to check the church area only to discover some of the speaker parts that might have fallen during the raid.
Following the discovery, Lucy Wachira called the church leaders.
“I came to work as usual and found a piece of wood and called my father, who explained that it’s used during construction, and later discovered black parts which were part of the speaker boards and rushed to call Edu’s father,” Lucy Wachira explained on the occurrence.
Stephen Munene, the church’s People’s Warden, said the loss was a major setback for the congregation, as the stolen equipment was essential for worship services and church events.
Munene noted that Gatuto ACK Church has previously suffered thefts, including the loss of the church gate and water taps in separate incidents.
Police have launched investigations into the burglary as efforts continue to trace the stolen items and apprehend those responsible.
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Early Attacks on Churches
The latest incident comes months after a wave of church break-ins was reported in Kirinyaga County.
In May 2026, thieves targeted three churches in Ndia Constituency, including Fountain of Life Church International, St Joseph Riakiania Catholic Church and ACK Riakiania Church.
During the church robbery, the suspects stole sound equipment, musical instruments and other valuables worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.
At Fountain of Life Church International, the thieves took equipment, including microphones, mixers, and other audio equipment, valued at more than Ksh200,000.
St Joseph Riakiania Catholic Church vice chairman Harrison Mbirui confirmed that during the robbery, the church lost equipment valued at over KSh 50,000.
On the other hand, Flosy Wambui Murimi of the ACK Riakiania Church confirmed the loss of electronic equipment valued at more than KSh 250,000.
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