A Kiambu pastor has been arraigned in a Kiambu Court for allegedly stealing money meant for a church project.
The accused, Jacob Muiruri who is the pastor of Grace Ministries in Banana, appeared before Principal Magistrate Diana Mochache where he was accused of stealing 2.5 million from the church.
He was accused of using the money raised by the church congregation at a harambee on December 29, 2014 for his personal benefit. The money was meant to buy a land where the congregation would build a church. The harambee raised Sh2.5 million which was saved in the church’s account.
However on June 28, this year, when the treasurer was going to deposit some more money in the bank, he realised that the only amount in the account was Sh400,000. He allegedly went and called the church committee the same evening and addressed the issue.
The pastor, who was also present, did not mention anything about taking the money.
On the July 3, another meeting was held concerning the money and this time round, the wife of the accused, Faith Muiruri, allegedly acknowledged that her husband had taken the money and bought land in Rongai where he intended to build a house for the family.
The pastor who was not present in the meeting that day was summoned by the church elders that evening and asked about the allegation by his wife. He is said to have admitted that he did that because the church money was to benefit the pastor and that the church could still raise another amount for the church.
Timothy Wairia, a church elder and other church committee members reported the matter at Karuri Police Station after which the pastor was arrested.
Muiruri pleaded not guilty to the charges and Justice Mochache adjourned the case to July 30. The pastor was given a cash bail of Sh200,000.