A Kenyan family in Makueni is in mourning after their father Bishop Joel Mwendwa was hacked to death by a Sudanese boy in what he termed ‘loud prayers’.
Bishop Mwendwa, whose church had a congregation of over 3,000 worshippers, hails from Wote in Makueni County and has been preaching in South Sudan for over 10 years. He met his death on June 24 by a boy whom he considered a neighbour.
Joel met his death as he was leading a congregation of Kenyans when his assailant described by police as “a boy” and a neighbour of his church along Bilpam Road in Munuki estate, Juba, killed him using a panga during the 6.30am prayers.
South Sudan police spokesman, Brigadier General Daniel Justin, confirmed the incident,
“As the congregation was going on with morning prayers, a man in the neighbourhood of the church walked to the front of the church with a machete and attacked the bishop. He slashed him several times before he fell down.”
