Police arrested at least 15 suspects after violent clashes between rival youth groups disrupted a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Kiamworia, Gatundu South, Kiambu County. The incident occurred outside the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) and involved groups reportedly armed with batons. Police said a number of people were injured, including three police officers.

Authorities deployed teargas to disperse the youths, and worshippers reported teargas inhalation inside the church as fumes spread indoors. The confrontation also disrupted traffic along the Kiamworia–Gatundu South Road and resulted in vehicles being vandalized, including three vehicles with shattered windows and reporting of a minibus being vandalized. Police said suspects were being interrogated and would face charges including malicious damage to property and participating in an unlawful assembly.

In remarks after the disruption, Gachagua accused the government of allowing the incident, alleging that state authorities sent “goons” to the church. The episode underscores how politically attended church gatherings can become flashpoints for disorder that directly impacts congregants through crowd violence and police crowd-control measures.

What this means: Church services can become collateral venues for public-order incidents when rival groups mobilize around high-profile political attendance, with secondary effects including teargas exposure inside sanctuaries.

Who's at risk: Congregations and church leaders hosting prominent figures—such as the AIPCA church in Kiamworia, Gatundu South—face elevated risk of injury and disruption when clashes occur nearby and police deploy teargas.

Outlook: With 15 arrests and public political आरोप/accusations that authorities enabled the disruption by sending “goons”, stakeholders should watch for follow-on tensions around future church events involving political leaders in the Gatundu area.

ACCRA, GHANA – In Ghana, a young man was apprehended and arrested after allegedly stealing worshipers’ mobile phones during a Seventh-day Adventist church service. A viral video reportedly showed local residents confronting and physically assaulting the suspect at the scene.

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN – Leaders of the Moru Congregation of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan accused the Juba Diocese of orchestrating violent attacks on Moru churches in Juba during Sunday prayers, alleging involvement by police and security forces. Worshippers were reportedly beaten, and some injured members taken to hospital were later removed by police and detained.

EPE, NIGERIA – A heavy-duty tipper truck reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) branch in Epe, Lagos State, killing at least six worshippers and injuring several others. Police said the truck was unregistered, the driver fled the scene, and an investigation is ongoing.

OTOBI-AKPA, NIGERIA – Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked OTOBI-AKPA in OTUKPO Local Government Area, BENUE STATE around midnight on January 13, 2026, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee. At least five people were killed, including politician Ochi Igbabe and Pastor Mrs. Menu Ojiji, who reportedly died of shock from the gunfire.

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Two women from Chitungwiza were convicted in Harare on three theft counts for stealing items during church services in Dzivarasekwa, including at the Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe and the United Methodist Church. They were arrested after being caught stealing from a vehicle parked outside a Methodist church, and congregants recovered stolen items during a search.

KATHWANA, KENYA – Police are investigating the murder of 65-year-old Julius Mugao, whose body was found in the compound of ACK Church Kathwana in Kathwana, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya on January 11, 2026. Authorities said he was strangled and the motive was not immediately known.

GATUNDU, KENYA – Police arrested at least 15 suspects after rival youth groups clashed outside a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Gatundu South, Kiambu County. Batons were used, teargas was deployed, three vehicles were vandalized, and three police officers were injured.

ALEPPO, SYRIA – Security services foiled a suicide attack near a church close to Farhat Square in ALEPPO on New Year’s Eve after spotting a suspicious man. When confronted, he opened fire and detonated a bomb belt, killing himself and a soldier and wounding two others; he was reportedly affiliated with Islamic State.

No current updates.

No current updates.

No current updates.

MINGLANILLA, PHILIPPINES – Police in Minglanilla, Cebu arrested a 31-year-old woman hours after nearly ₱200,000 in church funds was reportedly stolen from a religious facility. Authorities said the money from Misa de Gallo and New Year’s donations was taken after forcible entry into a priest’s living quarters, with CCTV reviewed during the investigation.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Quiapo Church in Manila urged prayers for the safe conclusion of the Traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene after two devotees died and a photojournalist died after collapsing while covering the event. Church and medical teams recorded around 1,700 medical cases as dense crowds slowed the procession.

No current updates.

KEY BISCAYNE, UNITED STATES – Francisco Gomez (29) appeared in criminal court after authorities alleged he stole more than $400,000 from St. Christopher’s-By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Key Biscayne by making unauthorized electronic transfers from church bank accounts to his personal account over nine months.

KEENE, UNITED STATES – Two churches in KEENE, TEXAS (KEENE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH and IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA CHURCH) received bomb threats via voicemail on January 10, 2026. Authorities investigated, no one was hurt, and a suspect was arrested on terroristic threat charges.

SEATTLE, UNITED STATES – Seattle police arrested a 47-year-old after an hours-long standoff outside a church on NE 50th Street in Seattle’s University District, where he was reportedly armed with a machete and allegedly menaced officers. The church was evacuated and police cordoned off the area before SWAT, negotiators, and a crisis intervention team took the suspect into custody.

KENNER, UNITED STATES – The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Juan Zuniga in Kenner, Louisiana, after victims said they met him through a church where a relative serves as a pastor. Authorities said the alleged abuse began in 2022 when the victims were 12 and 13, and he faces multiple charges including first-degree rape of a child under 13.

MOBILE, UNITED STATES – A woman allegedly vandalized the Community of Christ Church on Azalea Road in Mobile and later the same day damaged vehicles at a local dealership. Police arrested 49-year-old Regina Stanley and charged her with criminal mischief, with additional charges expected.

COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, UNITED STATES – The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Church in Coventry Township, Ohio. A 72-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle driven by a 90-year-old woman and later died at the hospital.

EAST PROVIDENCE, UNITED STATES – East Providence Police investigated an overnight break-in and vandalism at Saint Martha’s Church that left it unable to hold morning services. The altar, living quarters, and rectory were damaged, with broken windows and graffiti reported inside.

BRUNSWICK, UNITED STATES – In Brunswick, Ohio, police responded to a reported assault after a street preacher said he was pushed into traffic while preaching at Pearl and Center roads, narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle. The suspect was cited for assault and disorderly conduct after allegedly confronting the victim over preaching opposing homosexuality.

NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES – Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating suspected trespassing at Covenant Presbyterian Church and School after surveillance video allegedly showed an unidentified man on the campus on two occasions, including an overnight incident where he recorded video and took selfies. Police believe the same individual may be responsible for both incidents and are seeking public help to identify him.

ST. LOUIS, UNITED STATES – Police responded to a reported break-in at a church in the O’Fallon neighborhood of St. Louis, where tornado-relief donations were being stored, and found four people inside removing items from donation boxes. Four suspects were charged for allegedly attempting to steal items worth hundreds of dollars without permission.

STATEN ISLAND, UNITED STATES – Police responded to a disorderly man inside St. Ann’s Church in the Dongan Hills neighborhood of Staten Island during morning Mass, where an altercation occurred near/on the altar. The man was tased and arrested; two officers were treated for minor injuries and the altar sustained minor damage, with charges pending.

WEST POINT, UNITED STATES – Six people, including a pastor and a seven-year-old girl, were killed in shootings across three locations near West Point in Clay County, Mississippi. A suspect was taken into custody around 3 a.m. and charged with first-degree murder.

No current updates.

No current updates.

Please pray for believers and church communities in Aleppo, Syria, after a suicide attack was foiled near a church on New Year’s Eve—an incident that still claimed lives and left others wounded.

Ask the Lord to comfort grieving families, bring healing to the injured, and grant courage and steady faith to Christians who gather for worship under threat. Pray for protection and wisdom for local pastors and security authorities as they work to prevent further violence and pursue justice with restraint and integrity.

We stand with our brothers and sisters in Aleppo, asking Christ to be their refuge and peace in the midst of fear.

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