An Eldoret-based preacher has accused some church leaders of exploiting worshippers for personal gain, declaring that churches have become a “den of robbers” as he challenged believers to question religious manipulation and seek a personal understanding of God’s word.
Pastor Kimani Njogu delivered the hard-hitting message on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during the burial ceremony of veteran journalist Kitavi Mutua at Kisayani Village in Mutomo Sub-County, Kitui South.
In a strongly worded sermon, Njogu criticised what he described as the growing exploitation of worshippers by some religious leaders, arguing that churches were increasingly becoming platforms for personal enrichment rather than spiritual guidance.
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“Churches have become a den of robbers as some pastors exploit worshippers,” he declared.
The preacher went further, warning that religion could make people blind when they surrender their judgment to religious leaders without independently seeking to understand the Scriptures.
“Religion makes you blind,” he told mourners, invoking the famous description of religion as the “opium of the masses”.
“If you want to confuse religion, give them religion,” he remarked.
Njogu insisted that every individual had a right to understand what God had said about them through the Bible instead of depending entirely on interpretations provided by religious leaders.
“I am here to tell you that everyone has a right to know what God has said about you in His Holy Word,” he said.
He also contrasted today’s clergy with the generation of pastors he encountered while growing up, lamenting what he viewed as a departure from the humility traditionally associated with religious leadership.
“When I was growing up, pastors were simple men. But today, they are like politicians fighting over their political kingdoms,” Njogu said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of public discussion surrounding the circumstances of Mutua’s death, particularly questions about medical response following a reported snakebite and claims concerning the family’s religious affiliation.
Unusual burial arrangement
The burial ceremony also attracted attention because the family opted not to allow mourners to view the body.
When the hearse carrying Mutua’s remains arrived at the venue, the casket remained inside the vehicle throughout the proceedings, in accordance with the family’s wishes.
The arrangement differed from customary burial practices in many African communities, where mourners are ordinarily given an opportunity to view the deceased before burial.
Questions surrounding his final days
Mutua died on October 30, 2026, following complications after a reported snakebite at his home in Kitui South.
He was initially taken to Kitui County Referral Hospital before being transferred to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where he died while receiving treatment.
The circumstances surrounding his treatment have generated public discussion, including questions about the timing of medical intervention. However, no verified evidence has established that the family’s religious beliefs caused any delay in treatment.
Mutua was a long-serving Daily Nation correspondent based in Kitui, where he covered community affairs, politics and development for years.
His death has left a significant gap in the Kitui media fraternity.
