Journalists left Kitengela Anglican Church of Kenya with injuries after a section of congregants caused chaos contesting church leadership elections on Sunday, May 26.
The opposing faction of congregants caused a standoff with the rest of the members when they stormed into the church carrying Vuvuzelas, whistles and placards.
Journalists present at the scene as well as a section of the congregants were injured in the fracas which prompted police officers to intervene to allow the service to continue.
In a video seen by The Kenyan Times, several church members could be seen carrying placards with writings on them expressing protest towards the new church leadership.
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Leadership Opposition
Some placards read, “Lawi Must Go!” While others read, “Flawed elections.”
In the video, some of the members protesting can be seen blowing their vuvuzelas while others blew whistles all the while the service continued creating chaos to what should have been peaceful service.
In addition, a journalist is seen being shoved out of the church gate by several people as he tries to secure his camera and tripod.
“Get out, or you want us to fight,” one of the persons initiating the push could be heard saying.
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An onlooker recorded some of the other journalists who are seen running from the church to avoid succumbing to more injuries.
Also, the youth who had camped outside the church were arrested.
According to reports, the church leadership elections being disputed took place three works ago and the new officials were already installed.
Other Church Wrangles
Elsewhere in Kiambu County, a church service came to a sudden stop after congregants stormed out and refused to attend the church mass until their demands were met.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) members accused the church leadership including the pastor of misappropriating church funds including their weekly offerings.
The congregants in protest noted that no service shall be conducted until the pastor resigned.
“No dialogue! No more church service! She must go! She must go!” the church members chanted.
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