Church official arrested after attempting to electrocute members

Police and administrators in Mathira East district were Sunday evening forced to close a church after two rival groups of faithful clashed over the leadership of the facility.

Police, led by area boss Mathew Gwiyo, arrested Gatura AIPCEA Church Secretary Charles Maina after it emerged that he had fenced the church with electric wires to electrocute anyone attempting to gain accesses to the premises.

Trouble began at 9am when the two groups of worshipers met at the facility and traded insults before retreating to their corners where they held separate prayers.

However, police officers, who had been tipped off on the chaos at the church, separated the two warring factions who were on the verge of exchanging blows.

More drama followed after the officers decided to close the premises and evict the two groups of worshipers after they were informed that the facility was wired and could electrocute them.

The officers then sought the services of an electrician who disabled the power only to discover that the facility was a time bomb since every door had been connected to high voltage wires.

Following the discovery, Gwiyo ordered the arrest of Maina, adding that he may be charged with attempted murder once investigations are complete.

As he was being whisked away, a section of women broke into war cries accusing the officers of taking sides.

According to sources and church elders, the woes in the church have been occasioned by an alleged takeover of the facility by faithful affiliated to the local archbishop Peter Kabuthu.

Efforts to reconcile the two groups proved futile with each group maintaining ownership.