The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the brutal murder of PCEA cleric Reverend Julius Ndumia Ngari, who was killed at PCEA Tabuga Church in Nakuru North Sub-County.
In a statement released on Sunday, the DCI said the arrests came on the back of extensive forensic and intelligence-led investigations involving detectives from the Homicide Unit, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, Operations Support Unit, and officers drawn from Nakuru North.
Investigators said the suspects were found in possession of valuables believed to have been stolen from the slain cleric during the attack. Both suspects are currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation.
Reverend Ngari met his death during a violent attack on the church on the night of May 3, 2026. The church watchman, Benard Nyamwaka, was also seriously assaulted during the incident and has since been hospitalised for treatment. The attackers broke into both the church office and the reverend’s personal residence, carting away cash, mobile phones and other valuables before fleeing the scene.
The DCI added that investigators are still conducting advanced forensic analysis and combing through critical evidence, with authorities now suspecting the attack could be linked to a wider criminal network.
“The DCI strongly condemns this senseless and violent attack and assures the public that every effort is being made to apprehend all individuals involved and ensure they face the full force of the law,” the agency said.
The DCI also extended its condolences to the family, friends, and congregants of the late Reverend Ngari, while wishing the injured watchman a full and speedy recovery.
Gachagua Demands Answers, Points to a Deeper and Darker Pattern
Even before the arrests were announced, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had already come out swinging, demanding a full public explanation from police over the killing, which he described as shocking, deeply disturbing, and a direct threat to freedom of worship in Kenya.
Gachagua condemned the murder of Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia, the Parish Minister at PCEA Tubaga Parish under the Nakuru East Presbytery, and accused security agencies of dragging their feet for four full days after the incident without any visible action.
“The cold-blooded murder of an anointed man of God is not only callous to the extreme but raises serious questions about the security of our shepherds and indeed the Kenyan public,” Gachagua said.
He sent his condolences to the cleric’s family, the parish members, and the wider Presbyterian Church community across East Africa.
Gachagua also pointed to what he described as a troubling and escalating pattern of attacks against PCEA churches, citing previous incidents at PCEA Mwiki and PCEA Kariobangi, where he alleged that worshippers were targeted by goons operating with police backing.
“The attack of Christians in PCEA Mwiki Church and PCEA Kariobangi by goons backed by police has sent shivers down the spines of PCEA church members,” he said.
He did not stop there. Gachagua went on to question whether Reverend Ndumia may have been deliberately targeted because of his vocal stance on governance, corruption, and human rights—raising uncomfortable questions that many were perhaps thinking but not yet saying out loud.
“Who killed Rev. Ndumia and why? Could it be he was silenced for being vocal against corruption, bad governance, and violation of human rights? Could this killing be a loud threat to other vocal parish ministers within the PCEA church?” he posed.
Gachagua directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to step forward and publicly account for what happened and to update the nation on the progress of the investigation.
“I urge the Inspector General of Police to issue a public statement explaining what happened to Rev. Ndumia and what action police have taken so far,” he said.
He also pointed to what he called a growing and largely ignored wave of church break-ins across the country, where valuables are reportedly being stolen with few to no arrests being made—painting a picture of a security apparatus either unwilling or unable to protect houses of worship.
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Shock as PCEA Reverend is Brutally Murdered in Nakuru, Local MP Demands Swift Justice
