Chaos rocked Lavington Methodist Church in upmarket estate of Kileleshwa on Friday, December 3, after a pastor stormed the church with two armed congregants.
A report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday, December 4, indicated that the pastor, Bishop Rev Dr Joseph Kanyamu, stormed the church with 60 other congregants and caused the fracas.
The team had sought to eject Bishop Joseph Ntombura who they claimed had refused to leave the church after his retirement.
It was revealed that unprintable abuses were hurled by the two groups and property of unknown value destroyed.
"Two rival church groups were at daggers drawn yesterday (Friday), as they fought over the leadership of a house of worship located in the upmarket Kileleshwa suburbs, in the country’s capital. Lavington Methodist Church was turned into a battlefield as the clergymen who are ironically called to shepherd the Lord’s flock and nourish the souls of men, went for each others’ throats.
"In a vicious battle not witnessed in the neighbourhood said to be home to the city’s upper class, unprintable words were exchanged as the two rival factions fought for control of the sanctuary," read the DCI statement in part.
Kanyamu's team forcefully gained entry into the church’s office by breaking its glass doors in a bid to eject Bishop Ntombura.
"In the ensuing melee, the church guard who was overwhelmed by the faithful-turned goons, alerted police officers based at Kileleshwa police station who responded immediately.
"Upon arrival, the contingent led by the Sub County Police Commander and the DCIO managed to contain the situation," added the statement.
Two of Rev Kanyamu’s men were armed with glock semi-automatic pistols, and a total of 29 rounds of ammunition, 9mm callibre.
The two armed men, Kisito Matete, 43, and Peter Murasi, 36, were disarmed, arrested and escorted to Kilimani Police Station for questioning.
Police also launched 24-hour surveillance on the church until the standoff between the two rival factions is addressed.
The Methodist Church has been under leadership wrangles for over the past one year with one faction supporting Ntombura's abilities.
The Church's Kilifi branch, however, split in September 2020 and appointed Bishop Wellington Sanga to oversee the region.
