Fear gripped worshippers on Sunday after an explosive device was discovered at the Kutus Catholic Church in Kirinyaga County.
The bomb was reportedly discovered during time to give offerings by two worshipers, one of whom is an Administration Police officer.
According to a witness, they thought it was a toy but upon a closer look he identified it as a bomb and alerted the congregation.
Security officers led by the County Police Commander Rono Bunei arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area as they waited for bomb experts to arrive. Bomb experts from Nyeri and Embu Counties later arrived and safely detonated the device.
Area chairman of Catholic Men Association, Mr Paul Njeru, said he suspected that the bomb was planted very early in the morning by unknown criminals.
"Usually the church is opened at 7am so that those want to pray before the service starts can do so. Therefore it is likely the terrorists sneaked into the church posing as worshippers and planted the bomb," the Nation quotes Mr Njeru.
Places of worship have previously been marked as areas of target by terrorists, with the police urging churches to be cautious and upscale security measures in churches.
