A dramatic incident unfolded on Monday evening at a church in Ngara, Nairobi, when a pastor discharged his firearm to scare off a group of auctioneers attempting to seize church property. According to police, the pastor, a licensed firearm holder, mistook the group for intruders out to harm him.
The auctioneers had arrived at the premises armed with a court order from the Environmental and Land Court in Milimani. The order permitted them to attach certain properties belonging to the church in a civil case. However, the group failed to notify local police before attempting to execute the order.
As the auctioneers entered the compound, the church’s lead pastor emerged and, feeling threatened, fired into the air to disperse the group. No injuries were reported, but the auctioneers fled the scene for their safety.
Police officers on patrol responded swiftly to the gunfire and intervened. After assessing the situation, they established that the auctioneers had not sought official police escort as required during the execution of such orders. Authorities advised the group to consult with local law enforcement in the future to ensure the lawful and safe execution of court directives.
The pastor was briefly detained and questioned by police. He was later released after explaining that he had mistaken the group for potential robbers.
Incidents involving auctioneers often turn chaotic, with the use of force leaving trails of destruction, especially in cases lacking proper police coordination.
In a separate firearms-related development, police in Kondele, Kisumu County, repossessed two weapons from the home of a deceased licensed firearm holder, Adan Kanjora. His family informed authorities after his death, leading to the recovery of a Smith and Wesson pistol, two magazines, 127 rounds of ammunition, and a Boito shotgun with 102 pellets.
Authorities reminded the public that licensed firearms should be reported and handed over to police upon the death of the holder to ensure proper handling and safety.
There are currently over 15,000 licensed firearm holders in Kenya, all of whom undergo a rigorous vetting process before being issued permits.
