Residents in Kirai village, Gatundu North have raised alarm over increased vandalism in churches and graves.
They said an unknown gang has been breaking into churches and stealing valuables such as musical instruments, wiring materials and iron sheets.
The residents said the suspected criminals have also raided homes and stolen metal grills used to fence the graves.
The Anglican Church of Kenya and the Kenya Assemblies of God are some of the churches that have been broken into.
Peter Ndirangu, a worshiper and official at KAG Church said the robbers accessed the church at night after breaking the padlocks.
“They removed all iron sheets from our toilets, broke into the church and stole some of the electrical equipment," he said.
"This is not the first time these notorious criminals have raided our church left us counting huge losses."
Ndirangu said despite reporting the incidences to the authorities, no suspect has been arrested.
He said the terror gang is well connected.
“The criminals seem to be monied and have a ready market for the items. We fear that they will turn to innocent villagers and harm them,” he said.
Reverend Esther Wanjeri said a similar incident occurred at the ACK Church where the criminals broke in but did not steal anything.
She said the suspects only vandalised the church’s toilet and removed the iron sheets on the roof.
“We are pleading with the authorities to arrest these suspected criminals. Our churches are no longer secure and we fear that even if we hire a night guard, he might be harmed or maimed,” Wanjeri said.
Kirai ACK Church chairman Peter Ndung’u accused scrap metal dealers of facilitating the crimes.
“Some rogue scrap metal dealers are the ones fueling these crimes. It’s high time they are regulated to ensure residents' safety," he said.
“We are afraid that if they are not stopped, they will soon raid our houses and remove roofs, doors, windows and other metallic structures in our homes,” Ndung’u said.
The residents want the government to enforce the laws that regulate scrap metal trade.
