Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-15 06:10:28
Police in Meru are currently on the hunt for a man who allegedly surrendered a rifle at a church after claiming to have found salvation and forgiveness for his sins. The unexpected turn of events took place on Tuesday afternoon when Pastor Nathan Kirimi arrived at the Meru Central Police Station with an AK 47 rifle, stating that the gun had been relinquished by a man who professed to have accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.
Ezekiel Chepkwony, the Imenti North sub-county police commander, expressed astonishment at the situation. He recounted that Pastor Kirimi from Jesus Winner Ministry drove to the police station with the rifle carefully wrapped in a jacket and placed in a gunny bag. According to Chepkwony, Pastor Kirimi provided a statement explaining that during last Sunday’s service, a group of individuals expressed their desire to give their lives to Jesus. After the service, a man approached Pastor Kirimi with a confession—he wanted to surrender a gun. The man left the gun in the church compound and shared his desire to seek forgiveness.
Upon further inspection, it was determined that the gun had been concealed for an extended period, potentially buried, as it displayed signs of rust. Additionally, the pastor handed over 17 special blanks that are used in training or to intimidate individuals. It was noted by the police chief, however, that AK 47 blanks are not utilized in Kenya, adding to the mystery of the situation.
Chepkwony speculated that the man may have felt insecure upon realizing that security agencies were closing in on him. While the man’s identity remains unknown, the police suspect that he may have criminal ties. Notably, Pastor Kirimi is not being treated as a suspect in this case. The gun has been sent to forensic laboratories for further examination by ballistic experts to determine if it has been used to fire live bullets. The authorities have issued a warning to individuals with illegal weapons, indicating that their days are numbered.
During a conversation with journalists at the police station, Pastor Kirimi shared that the man divulged that he had kept the gun for a significant period and decided to confess his sins and repent. Kirimi emphasized the importance of surrendering weapons to either the police or the church, assuring protection to those who do so.
This is not the first time Pastor Kirimi has been involved in controversy. In March 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he stated that he did not believe the virus existed, defying government orders to distance himself from society and close churches. He believed that his prayers would safeguard his followers from the virus. However, his church was eventually shut down after 46 worshippers, including himself and his wife, tested positive for the virus.
The surprising events surrounding the surrender of the AK 47 rifle at the church in Meru have garnered attention, emphasizing the complexities of faith, forgiveness, and the challenges faced by people in communities. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for understanding and support for individuals seeking to make amends and turn their lives around.
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