Police in Nakuru are investigating the murder of Tabuga PCEA Church minister on Sunday night.
The investigating officers are eager to find out the motive of the cold-blooded murder that occurred on the night of Sunday, 3rd April. This is especially so considering that the victim, Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia, was killed at his place of residence, yet nothing seems to have been stolen.
The first impression from the Nakuru Police Commander, Samuel Boit, was that nothing was stolen from the house.
Apparently, the killers had ample time to do as they wished, since they had already injured and restrained the church watchman. The PCEA Tabuga church guard is now recuperating at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital.
Without a clear motive, the public is left to speculate on the reason Reverend Ndumia, who is also a parent, was murdered.
Wrangles in a Neighbouring PCEA Church
In a local church community, hatred sometimes arises from differences in leadership, business ventures, and so on.
In January this year, PCEA Nyonjoro, a church not too far from Tabuga, was engaged in wrangles that saw a church service disrupted.
In that incident, the church congregation, associated with the area’s Umoja Parish, locked out their minister and his team of elders. They accused them of ignoring their team of development committee members and imposing their own.
Just like PCEA Tabuga, Nyonjoro is in the Bahati constituency.
Messages of Condolences
As investigations continue into the killing of Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia, leaders continue to send their condolence messages to Rev. Ndumia’s family and the PCEA fraternity.
Former area MP Kimani Ngunjiri and the sitting MP Irene Njoki were among the first leaders to send their condolence messages. Many others continue to send their condolences and urge the government to expedite the investigations.
They include Nakuru County governor, Susan Kihika, who hailed the late church minister as a devoted servant of God. She extended her condolences to Reverend Ndumia’s family, beginning with his wife, Esther Wangui, and children.
Message from the PCEA Headquarters
Yesterday, the PCEA Church Moderator Rt. Rev. Thegu Mutahi sent a heartfelt message of condolences to the family and the body of the PCEA church. He expressed shock and sadness at the murder of Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia.
In his message, he said the church faithful had been shaken by the ghastly incident, which he disclosed occurred between 10 and 11 p.m. on Sunday. He also confirmed that the criminals had also injured the church watchman.
Reassuring the congregants that investigations will be carried out, he said he had communicated with the area MP, who had confirmed she had been in touch with the Inspector General of Police.
Meanwhile, church members hope that they and the church leadership can resolve their differences amicably. This may pre-empt the potential for animosity, which is not healthy for the church.