Pastors from Tigania and Ruri rwa Rera are calling for immediate action from both the national and Meru county governments to address the escalating security concerns in the region.
The clergy are alarmed by a recent violent incident involving one of their own, Reverend Stephen Kaithia, who was attacked by armed assailants near his church in Kathama ka Ahindi, Kianjai, Tigania West.
Rev. Kaithia was returning from an evening church crusade meeting when the attackers attempted to shoot him at close range.
The bullet missed him, instead ripping through his Bible placed on the dashboard of his car before exiting through the windshield.
Kaithia recounted the chilling ordeal, which has raised alarms about the safety of religious leaders in the area.
Rev. Morris Lichoro, Secretary General of the clergy union, stressed the urgency of bolstering security in Tigania, citing a series of similar incidents where churches have been broken into and valuable equipment, including sound systems and furniture, have been stolen.
Bishop Francis Nchebere, a prominent voice in the clergy, suggested that the local area chiefs be armed with firearms to improve their ability to respond to emergencies swiftly. He highlighted that the police-to-citizen ratio is dangerously low, making it difficult for authorities to effectively respond to criminal activities.
The ongoing rise in church-related crimes has left many pastors feeling vulnerable, and they are calling for a comprehensive security overhaul to protect their communities.
Meanwhile, Pastor Jediel Kirema, speaking on the upcoming presidential visit to Meru, welcomed the president’s tour but emphasized that any donations made to local churches should not be returned, as has been done by some clergymen in the past.
Kirema proposed that these donations be channeled into pastors’ savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOS) to help improve their financial well-being and reduce the temptation for unethical behavior.
The clergy’s final message to the president and fellow pastors was clear: empowering pastors financially through SACCOs is key to preventing exploitation of their congregations.
The clergy believe that when pastors are financially stable, they will be less likely to take advantage of their followers and can focus on their spiritual work without distractions.
As the region awaits further security measures and the president’s visit, the clergy remain hopeful that their concerns will be addressed to ensure the safety of their communities and churches.
