Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia, the Parish Minister of Presbyterian Church of East Africa Tubaga Parish in Nakuru East Presbytery, describing the murder as shocking and deeply disturbing to the church and the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, Gachagua sent condolences to the slain cleric’s family, members of his parish, and Presbyterians across East Africa, saying the killing had caused fear and anxiety among worshippers and clergy.
“The cold-blooded murder of an anointed man of God is not only callous to the extreme but raises serious questions about the security of our shepherds and indeed the Kenyan public,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president claimed the PCEA church had increasingly come under attack from criminals allegedly operating under state protection.
He pointed to previous incidents involving PCEA Mwiki Church and PCEA Kariobangi Church, where he alleged Christians were attacked by goons backed by police officers.
According to Gachagua, the incidents had created fear among members of the church, while the silence of some church leaders over the attacks remained worrying.
He further expressed concern over what he termed as police inaction following Rev. Ndumia’s murder, saying no arrests had been made and no official statement issued days after the incident.
“The brutal murder of Rev. Ndumia has sent panic to the PCEA clergy across the country, and police inaction so far is troubling to say the least,” he stated.
Gachagua also questioned whether the cleric may have been targeted for speaking out against corruption, poor governance, and alleged violations of human rights.
“Who killed Rev. Ndumia and why? Could it be he was silenced for being vocal against corruption, bad governance and violation of human rights?” he posed.
The former deputy president urged the Inspector General of Police to issue a public statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the killing and to provide assurances regarding the safety of PCEA parish ministers and the protection of constitutional freedoms, including freedom of worship and expression.
He also called on church leadership to condemn what he termed as the persecution of the PCEA church “in the strongest terms possible.”
At the same time, Gachagua appealed to police authorities to urgently address increasing incidents of break-ins targeting churches, where valuables have reportedly been stolen.
The murder of Rev. Ndumia has continued to draw reactions from religious leaders, politicians, and human rights advocates, with growing calls for swift investigations and justice for the slain cleric.
