Religious leaders from Sameta Sub County in Kisii County have decried rampant theft of church equipment and chairs and urged security officers to beef up security to reverse the trend.

Led by Nyagiki Pentecostal Assemblies of God ( PAG) pastor, Geoffrey Gwaro, the leaders  said thugs had raided the church twice in a month and stolen communication equipment and chairs, terming it shocking and unacceptable.

He appealed to members of the public to report to the church leaders and police whoever they find selling the items so that he or she can be arrested and prosecuted to deter others.

“Criminals who broke into churches and steal live in the community and are known. I urge them to stop raiding and stealing from churches,” Gwaro said.

The theft comes barely a month after security officers arrested ten suspects from Otamba sub location, Nyaribari Chache constituency in Kisii county in connection with the torching of five churches-  St Monica Otamba Catholic, Nyangeni SDA, Worldwide Gospel church, Pentecostal church and Legio Maria.

The suspects appeared in court and are being held pending further probe.

Area Member of the Assembly, Kefa Mogaka condemned the incident and urged leaders to support the churches with funds and items to foster worshipping.

He urged parents to monitor the activities of their children and inculcate moral values in them to avoid such incidents, which affect innocent people.

“A parent can know when his or child is behaving badly and it  is his or duty to guide and counsel him or her,” Mogaka said.

Kisii University Chaplain, Father Lawrence Nyaanga said some youths were abusing drugs and illicit brew and some could be involved in torching churches and stealing church properties.

He said the raiding of churches and destroying properties was unheard of in the area, noting it showed poor parenting and the society’s moral decay.