Residents of Kirinyaga County have raised concerns over a wave of coordinated church burglaries targeting places of worship in Ndia Constituency, with thieves making away with sound equipment and musical instruments worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.

The incidents, reported in Riakiania Ward, have affected at least three churches and sparked fears over rising insecurity in the area.

Among the affected churches are Fountain of Life Church International, St Joseph Riakiania Catholic Church, and ACK Riakiania Church.

According to church leaders, the attacks have mostly taken place overnight while residents were asleep, with burglars targeting valuable electronic equipment used during worship services.

At Fountain of Life Church International, church official Peter Munene said the intruders gained entry through a window before accessing a storage area containing church equipment.

The thieves reportedly stole microphones, mixers and other audio devices valued at more than KSh200,000. Munene added that the suspects also drank a bottle of holy communion wine before fleeing the premises.

At St Joseph Riakiania Catholic Church, vice chairman Harrison Mbirui said the attackers entered through the main gate before breaking into the church building.

Items stolen included microphones, mixers, a piano, PMC kits and other equipment estimated to be worth over KSh500,000.

Mbirui noted that the burglars appeared to have taken advantage of heavy rainfall and reduced movement during the night.

Meanwhile, ACK Riakiania Church also lost electronic equipment valued at more than KSh250,000 during a similar raid.

Church member Flosy Wambui Murimi confirmed the incident, saying the matter had already been reported to Baricho Police Station, where officers have launched investigations.

Church leaders say the thefts appear highly coordinated and specifically targeted at sound systems and musical instruments that are central to modern worship services.

The stolen items include keyboards, pianos, microphones, mixers and amplification systems, equipment many churches rely on to conduct services and engage congregants.

Religious leaders warned that the repeated losses could severely disrupt worship programmes, forcing some congregations to hold services without sound systems or musical accompaniment.

“We don’t know what we will use tomorrow, Sunday. Maybe we will just clap our hands,” one church leader lamented.

Residents have also raised concerns about the possible existence of a black market for stolen church audio equipment in the region.