Slain Presbyterian Church in East Africa (PCEA) Minister, Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia, has been eulogized as a dedicated, humble, and “mission-oriented” servant of God, whose life and sermons deeply impacted his community.
His sudden passing-on last week, following a brutal attack at his Church residence at Tabuga village in Rongai Sub-county, has left the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and the wider Nakuru community in profound shock.
Nakuru North Sub-county Police Commander, Ms. Charity Karimi, assured residents that investigations were in top-gear, to track down the killers and establish their motive.
She urged Church elders, congregants and members of the public, to volunteer any information that may yield crucial lead to those behind the heinous crime, adding that it was unfortunate that criminal elements would target the man of the cloth.
Postmortem examination revealed that the Church Minister died from asphyxiation and head injuries. Investigators confirmed that Ndumia was tied-up before being fatally attacked by the suspected gang, who remain at large.
Speaking during a memorial service for the Church Minister at the PCEA Neema Church, Ms. Karimi assured the residents that a dedicated Directorate of Criminal Investigations team is probing the murder, and pledged an open, transparent investigation into the attack.
She said police has intensified patrols and urged the public to share information.
Bahati Deputy County Commissioner, Mr Juma David, condemned the attack and said specialized detectives have been deployed to track down the attackers.
Mr David said the killing was unacceptable and that security agencies will not relent until those responsible are brought- to- book.
“This horrific and terrifying act, carried out within a place of worship, has shaken not only the Christian community, but society as a whole. The church is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, hope and refuge. We will not relent until criminal elements are weeded-out of our the community,” stated the Administrator.
Past Moderator, Reverend David Gathanju, described the killing as a tragic loss.
“Many questions remains, why this was done. Life is sacred and no one should take it unjustly. We cannot normalize the shedding of innocent blood. We demand accountability. We cannot diminish the gravity of this incident and urge security agencies swiftly and thoroughly to investigate the cold-blooded murder,” stated Reverend Gathanju.
Nakuru Senator, Tabitha Karanja, pressed for swift investigation and warned that violence reaching the Altar signaled a deeper breakdown in social and moral order.
Ms. Karanja expressed concern over what she described as a worrying surge in violent crime in Lanet Umoja and surrounding areas, including killings, assaults and organised criminal activity.
“We make an urgent and firm appeal to government authorities and security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to address the deteriorating security situation in our area,” Ms. Karanja said.
She called for immediate and thorough investigations into the murder, increased police patrols and proactive measures to curb criminal activity and restore public confidence.
Residents say the attack reflects a broader pattern of insecurity that has sparked protests in recent months, with organised criminal gangs blamed for a wave of violent incidents across the city.
by Jane Ngugi
