The East Africa Pentecostal Church (EAPC) Ugweri Church in Runyenjes Constituency, Embu County, is counting losses after thieves broke into the church on Wednesday night and stole assorted electronic equipment and other items valued at approximately Sh800,000.

The thieves are believed to have struck at around 2am after breaking a window to gain entry into the church. They made away with assorted sound system equipment, including a keyboard, sound mixer, amplifier, crossover, speakers, microphones and cables.

According to the church overseer, Rev. Joseph Njue, the thieves also stole two generators, a 13-kilogramme gas cylinder and assorted church utensils, including 10 cooking pots.

Rev. Njue said the theft was discovered at around 10am on Thursday when some church members arrived to carry out their daily chores.

He noted that the church does not have a night security guard, which may have made it easier for the thieves to break in unnoticed.

The overseer described the loss as tragic, saying the stolen equipment had been acquired through years of sacrifice and contributions by church members.

“We are devastated not just by the loss of property but also by the desecration of God’s house,” he said.

Rev. Njue said the matter had been reported to the police and investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and recover the stolen property.

He appealed to members of the public, the business community and second-hand dealers to be vigilant and report anyone attempting to sell the stolen items.

“If you are offered these items for sale or have any information that may lead to their recovery, please report to the nearest police station or contact the church leadership,” he said.

 by Samuel Waititu