At least ten people are recovering in hospital after sustaining various injuries during a violent clash between opposing church members at Nyabigena Adventist Church in South Mugirango, Kisii County.

The conflicting groups include members from the Adventist Church and the Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference (NCC), a faction that reportedly split from the Adventist congregation. Despite the separation, both factions continue to hold their services on the same premises every Saturday.

PHOTO | COURTESY police tape

The confrontation began with a heated verbal exchange between two women, which quickly attracted the attention of several men. They surrounded one woman in an attempt to eject her from the church forcibly. As she resisted, another woman assaulted her.

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The situation rapidly escalated, with members of both factions engaging in a physical fight, using plastic chairs as weapons. The brawl spilled out into the church compound, causing further chaos.

Penwel Nyambane, an NCC member involved in the incident, stated, "This plot belongs to my father. The other group was not supposed to be here. Goons were sent to chase us away, and they attacked us in the process."

Another participant, Martha Bosibori, countered, "NCC is not part of the Adventist Church, but they have been using our grounds for years."

Despite orders for their leaders to appear before the area's Deputy County Commissioner to resolve the conflict, both groups have vowed to revisit the issue this Saturday. Concerned residents have urged the government to intervene and address the ongoing tension.