Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are probing the suspected abduction of Bishop Patrick Lihanda, the General Presiding Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG).
The bishop reportedly disappeared after attending a meeting in Mbale town, Vihiga County.
According to investigators, Bishop Lihanda left the Nyang’ori PAG headquarters around 4 PM on Saturday, September 28, and has not returned home since.
Before his disappearance, he sent a message to his driver indicating that his life was in danger.
Shortly after, his phone was switched off.
The news has sparked mixed reactions among church members and the public, particularly regarding the church’s internal politics.
An insider reported that the bishop, facing opposition in the lead-up to national elections, may have orchestrated his own disappearance to delay the elections scheduled for October 1.
Some congregants are speculating whether this alleged abduction is a strategy to avoid what they anticipate could be a significant loss at the polls.
While some are concerned about the implications for the upcoming elections, others have voiced worries about the safety of the bishop, who has been embroiled in a leadership dispute for the past five years, resulting in multiple court cases.
A statement from Radio Matumaini, a church-owned station, expressed the family’s distress over insensitive public comments amid the crisis.
“During this challenging time, we urge everyone to remain calm and patient. Bishop Lihanda is not just a candidate; he is a father, a husband, and a beloved figure.
His family is experiencing tremendous pain, and speculative remarks only add to their suffering.
If you cannot offer positive support, please remain silent and await official updates from the authorities,” the statement read.
As part of the investigation, police confirmed that the bishop was last seen driving a white Mercedes Benz, registration number KBW 547X.
This vehicle was later found abandoned at Shibale Trading Centre in Mumias, Kakamega County, with the bishop’s Bible and sunglasses inside.
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