Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are investigating the alleged abduction of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) General Presiding Superintendent, Bishop Patrick Lihanda.
The bishop is reported to have mysteriously vanished after leaving for a meeting in Mbale town, Vihiga County.
According to the officers, the Bishop left the Nyang’ori PAG headquarters around 4 PM on Saturday, September 28, and never came back home.
He sent a message to his driver stating that his life was in danger and shortly after his phone was switched off.
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Mixed Reactions Over Abduction of Bishop
The news has elicited mixed reactions from the church members and members of the public privy to the politics of the church.
Speaking to The Kenya Times, an insider familiar with the matter indicated that despite putting up a strong fight against his opposition, the bishop had gotten cold feet about the upcoming national elections.
Therefore, it was possible that the whole matter was a case of self-abduction to have the elections set for October 1, postponed.
Many of the congregants have questioned whether the alleged abduction is the bishop’s way of delaying his inevitable loss at the elections.
Moreover, the news has caused concerns about whether the upcoming elections will proceed as planned.
However, others have raised serious concerns about the safety of the embattled member of the cloth, who has been in a five-year-long leadership dispute leading to several court cases.
According to a statement by Radio Matumaini, a station owned by the church, the bishop’s family is enduring unbearable pain because of the insensitive comments from members of the public.
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“During this difficult time, we ask everyone to remain calm and patient. Please remember, Bishop Lihanda is not just a candidate for office, he is a father, a husband, and a loved one.
“His family is enduring unbearable pain, and insensitive comments or speculation only make things harder. If you do not have anything positive or supportive to say, we kindly ask you to remain silent and wait for official updates from the authorities,” the statement read in part.
Details of the Alleged Abduction
According to the police, the bishop was using a white Mercedes Benz, registration number KBW 547X.
In addition, the white Mercedes Benz was found abandoned at Shibale Trading Centre in Mumias, Kakamega County. Inside, the police discovered the bishop’s Bible and sunglasses.
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