Gang now takes war to the church
Gang now takes war to the church
ICC Note
Kenyan Christians are facing persecution from violent sect known as Mungiki. The followers of the sect have killed a pastor and threatened Christians in Central province of Kenya .
04/22/2009 Kenya (The Standard)-A new battle in Central Province is in the offing as the proscribed Mungiki sect targets the church.
The sect is now threatening residents to steer off Christianity and openly challenging the clergy to cease evangelism amongst the Agikuyu community.
While the sect advocates for extreme traditional cultural practices like female genital mutilation, tobacco sniffing and ‘decent’ dressing for women, the Christian doctrine teaches repentance and salvation.
The church views the sect as representing the anti-Christ, whereas Mungiki describe the church as slaves of Western values.
A pastor in Iyego location, Murang’a District whose name cannot be published for his own safety says Mungiki has succeeded in creating a rift between churches and the society.
“Mungiki recruit students even in primary schools. They incite students against Christian Religious Education (CRE) studies,” he says.
He adds: “Recently, a Mungiki kingpin raided a local church as brethren prayed. He was armed with a panga and went straight to the pulpit and banged it on the floor. He warned Christians not to compete with him in recruiting followers.”
Clergy under threat
It was a warning that the community should troop to traditional shrines and reject the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The sect is said to have beheaded a pastor of the Anglican Church in Nyeri’s Kabaru area to stamp their authority.
But whereas opinion has always been strong that politicians, businessmen and professionals finance the sect, it is emerging that some clergy have joined the bandwagon.
On the other hand, most Christians accuse Mungiki of forcibly recruiting children into the sect.
A civil servant from Murang’a South District, says families are feeling the heat of Mungiki activities.
Police vow to fight