Bishop Wanjiru Injured as Church Demolished

A land dispute between Bishop Margaret Wanjiru's church Jesus is Alive Ministries (JIAM) and the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has escalated leading to the demolition of a wall on the church's property.

Bishop Wanjiru, a politician affiliated with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, has expressed her disappointment with the government's actions, claiming they have betrayed her support. Youths claiming to represent KRC forcefully entered the church premises and demolished the wall that served as a boundary between the church and the disputed land. This incident is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between the church and KRC.

In 2020, a lawsuit filed by JIAM and other neighbouring properties challenging the construction of a wall on the disputed land was dismissed by a Nairobi court. The court ruled that the petitioners failed to provide evidence that the construction would encroach on their properties. Following the court's decision, the case is reportedly set for another hearing. However, the recent demolition has raised concerns, particularly regarding the lack of notification to the involved parties and the seemingly selective targeting of the church property.

The Atheist Society of Kenya (AIK) has also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that the legal process should be followed without bias, regardless of Bishop Wanjiru's religious status or political affiliation. They argue that the state should not grant special treatment based solely on one's occupation. Currently, Bishop Wanjiru is receiving medical treatment while the government spokesperson has remained silent on the matter.

She claims she was attacked and her phone was stolen before the incident. According to the pastor, she sustained injuries during a confrontation with individuals attempting to demolish the area. The Bishop laments that the demolition is politically motivated. The Bishop further alleges that the individuals responsible claimed to be acting on behalf of a powerful figure who deemed the church wall to be on government land. She also stated that the demolition attempt was initially thwarted on February 10th due to a wedding ceremony taking place on the church grounds.