For residents of Kiambaa Village, Uasin Gishu County, January 1st 2008 is a memory they would much like to forget.
On that day, as the rest of the world jubilated and ushered in the new year, over 30 people were burned to ashes in what has remained as one of the most painful memories of the 2007 Post Election Violence.
The group comprising majorly of members of the Gikuyu community had sought refugee at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church, hoping that in going to a holy premise, their attackers might draw back. They didn’t. 30 souls, including children, were taken that day.
“This is the first time in (Kenyan) history that any group has attacked a church. We never expected the savagery to go so far,” the then police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said.
Nineteen years later, the KAG Kiambaa Church has gotten a face-lift with First Lady Rachel Ruto, leading the launch of the freshly constructed amenities.
The once rickety house of worship now boasts of an expanded main sanctuary, indoor games hall, and a multipurpose hall.
Among the most harrowing accounts from the Kiambaa Massacre was that of parents throwing their children out of the building when it was set ablaze only for the attackers to return the children into the flames.
In contrast to those scenes, the new church is children friendly, featuring a dedicated children’s playground fitted with play equipment, including slides and other facilities where children can play.
“Given what happened in 2008, Nobody could have imagined that such a day would ever come. But we thank God for making it happen.” Bishop Eliud Karanja of the Worldwide Gospel Church said during the launch.
Rachel Ruto has said the revamp of the church facilities is not an erasing of history but a fortification of the church’s painful past and will to embrace unity and hope.
Rebuilding this church is not just a matter of raising walls. It’s an expression of who we are as a people, capable of remembering with dignity and choosing reconciliation.” She said.
” This place carries memories of profound loss for many families and our nation. We honor those affected. ” She added.
The first lady’s presence was particularly profound given that her husband, President William Ruto was charged with Crimes Against Humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to his alleged role in the Post Election Violence.
The Kiambaa Church torching formed one of the Pillars of the prosecutions case against President Ruto with witnesses testifying that leaders allied to him, and the ODM Party led the mon that touched the church.Ruto vehemently denied involvement.
The case ultimately collapsed with the prosecution accusing the Kenyan government of “non cooperation and witness tempering.”
