Protests as second pastor killed

Another pastor has been killed in unexplained circumstances at the Coast in the last three days.

(VIDEO: Pastor killed)

Pastor Ibrahim Kithaka was killed on Sunday morning a day after another clergyman was killed, also in Kilifi.

His body was found in a thicket near Madamani trading centre in Vitengeni. His motorcycle was 100 metres from where the body lay.

Pastor Charles Mathole of the Redeemed Gospel Church in Mtopanga, was shot dead on Saturday night. A church member said the preacher was killed as he prepared his Sunday sermon.

On Monday, religious leaders from the Mombasa Church Forum condemned the killings.

Speaking at the Redeemed Gospel Church at Vikwatani-Kisauni, the preachers asked the police to act with speed to arrest the killers.

“No attack on Christians or their church leaders will deter us from our way of worship and our freedom of religion,” said Bishop Wilfred Lai of the Jesus Celebration Centre. “We will not be intimidated by anything.”

His colleagues asked the government to hasten the implementation of the Nyumba Kumi security system and embark on disarmament at the Coast. (READ: Pastor is found dead in church seat)

Bishop Lai said they still didn’t know the motive of the killings and it was too early to speculate. They, however, said the church was being targeted following the attack on the Salvation Army Church at Majengo earlier this month.

Two legislators from Mombasa have asked the national government to intervene and end the killings of religious leaders in the county.

On October 4, a Muslim preacher from Mombasa, Sheikh Ibrahim Ismail, was shot dead by as yet unidentified assailants. His death sparked protests that led to the burning of a Salvation Army worship centre.

INTENSIFY SECURITY

During Sunday’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and his Nyali counterpart, Mr Hezron Awiti, asked the police to intensify security and arrest those behind the killings.

On Monday, Vitengeni assistant commissioner Vincent Kibaara said Pastor Kithaka had travelled to Muryachakwe area in Kilifi from Malanga where he was running a church. It is believed that he was in the process of setting up a new church in Muryachakwe.

Mrima wa Ndege location chief Samson Tabu Chai said Mr Kithaka was on his way home when he was attacked. Some witnesses said that he was with two young men who disappeared and were yet to be traced.

“We are yet to get leads on what transpired, but we are looking for the two boys last seen with the pastor. I am sure they will shed some light on his death,” said Mr Kibaara.

Kilifi county deputy Speaker Teddy Mwambire asked police to speed up investigations and arrest the two young men who were with the pastor.

On Monday, Governor Amason Kingi asked Kilifi county police commander James Kithuka to clean up his office and crack down on criminals.

Meanwhile, while speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa on Sunday, acting county commissioner Mohamed Salim said police were investigating the incidents and asked for patience.

Additional reporting by Mwakera Mwajefa and Wachira Mwangi