Congregants of Makutano Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church in Lurambi, Kakamega woke up to a ransacked sanctuary on Sunday, February 19. The congegants had to borrow a few chairs and had a brief Sunday fellowship session. The Sunday morning, which is expected to be a day of joy, praise and worship was clouded with despair after the congregants found chairs and other property stolen by unknown individuals. Alex Muhanda who presides over the assembly, said the incident happened on the dawn of Sunday as everything was intact the previous day.

Among the stolen items were 67 plastic chairs, two tables and clothes belonging to the church’s shepherd. “I was shocked to arrive at the church this morning only to find broken doors and an empty room,. Few things were left scattered in the largely empty church hall,” said Muhanda who confirmed the matter had been reported to Shitundu Police Station. Undiscouraged by the loss and the works of the enemy which include killing, stealing and destroying, the congregation sourced for a few chairs and continued with their Sunday fellowship, albeit briefly than usual. “Other believers had to stand as I preached and so the service was brief.

The incident is the enemy’s work but we will not stop doing the Lord’s work,” Muhanda was resolute. Pastor’s underwear, clothes and sound systems stolen before . However, what angered the congregants was that, it was not the first time the church premises was broken into and property stolen. They blamed the security agencies of doing little to counter insecurity incidents in the area. “Last time they broke into the pastor’s residence and stole several pairs of his underpants, two suits, shoes and a gas cylinder. They had also stolen a sound mixer and keyboard and in the dawn of today they have now stolen chairs,” Priscah Orembo, an agitated congregant lamented. Inscriptions on the chairs and God’s wrath They have asked police officers and members of the public to assist the church in tracing and recovering their stolen property. “Behind the chairs, we have inscribed the name MAKUTANO PAG. Whoever comes across them should kindly report the matter to the police or notify the church,” Muhanda requested. The church members also warned the thieves with a habit of invading their premises saying their days were numbered and God’s wrath will be unbearable to them when it finally comes.