Five injured, eight arrested after church service turns violent

Two warring factions at a church in Nyandarua County clashed on Sunday during service, leaving five people injured and others arrested.

Rival groups – one supporting Bishop Ayub Kigotho and the other Bishop David Kiboi – who are feuding over church leadership at the AIPCA Church in Rurii, Olkalou in Nyandarua descending on each other with kicks and blows.

Trouble started when Bishop Kiboi and his group stormed the church at 11am while the service was ongoing and attempted to kick out Bishop Kigotho, who was at the time preaching, sparking a fierce clash between the two groups.

Church members were forced to scamper for safety as seats went flying across the room, turning the house of God into a battlefield, with police being called in to restore order.

Eight people accused of propagating the chaos were arrested and detained at Olkalou Police Station as police began investigations.

Speaking after recording statements with the police, the two clergymen vowed to work together to ensure peace and unity in the church.

The bishops condemned the violence asking the church members to address their disputes in an orderly manner.

The eight, who spent the night behind bars, are set to be arraigned in court on Monday.