Faithful and leadership of Jesus Christ Our Hope church at the scene of demolition in Ruai, Nairobi County on May 14, 2025./GEORGE OWITITension is high in Ruai, Nairobi County, after a church belonging to Jesus Christ Our Hope Ministry was demolished in broad daylight on Wednesday, in what the leadership says is a case of mistaken identity in a land dispute.
The church's faithful and leaders, led by Archbishop Wallace Gitau Chiri, said they were shocked when a group of men armed with crude weapons—machetes, hammers, crowbars and knives—descended on the mabati-structured building and began tearing it down.
The attackers reportedly arrived at the scene under the watch of individuals believed to be police officers, who stayed inside a white Toyota Prado throughout the demolition.
“Today we have faced a major problem,” said Archbishop Chiri, addressing journalists shortly after the incident. “Unknown individuals stormed in and demolished our church.”
The church’s compound was left in ruins—its gate wide open, doors and windows removed, and belongings such as chairs, kitchenware, stationery, and musical equipment strewn about.
Preliminary estimates place the damage at more than Sh1 million, Chiri said.
He further revealed that the church has been entangled in a land dispute currently under litigation.
According to Chiri, the eviction order issued by the court applied to a different plot—LR No. 60—while their church sits on LR No. 160.
“I don’t understand why this church was demolished,” Chiri said.
“The court order was for LR No. 60. This is LR No. 160, 100 plots apart.”
Court documents seen by the Star confirm that an applicant obtained an eviction order on March 19, 2025, in a case before the Milimani Commercial Courts.
The order directed the eviction of Jesus Christ Our Hope Church and Archbishop Chiri from LR Nos. L60 and not L160B, with police supervision.
However, confusion remains over whether the correct plot was targeted in the demolition. Chiri insists the church has occupied the disputed land since 2010, and that the current claimant only appeared in 2020.
Ruai Sub-County Police Commander Martin Wasike acknowledged receiving prior complaints from the church and confirmed that the matter had been under discussion by the local security committee. He said no officers from his command were involved in the incident.
“No officers from Ruai police station were assigned to supervise this demolition,” Wasike said.
“What happened was illegal. We’re investigating who these individuals were and whether the correct plot was affected.”
He added that the local Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been tasked with verifying the ownership documents from both parties.
The incident has also raised alarm over the safety of vulnerable groups associated with the church. Chiri said the church hosted over 80 orphans and vulnerable children, many of whom have now fled the premises in fear.
“We have been on this land for 15 years,” Chiri said. “Now we are asking President William Ruto to intervene. This is not just about a building—it’s about lives, ministry, and justice.”
As investigations continue, the church and its community remain shaken, seeking answers and protection in what they say has been a gross miscarriage of justice.
