Nairobi — The Catholic Diocese of Embu has asked the government to act on the rising cases of killings in the area. In a letter of protest sent to the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) in Embu, the diocese said that since March this year, at least 12 watchmen and one cook have been killed. No arrests have been made.

Fr Joseph Muriuki, the Justice and Peace Co-ordinator of the Diocese, said that it was sad that these incidences of robbery were only targeting churches and church related institutions. In the letter which read in part; "how comes that all the security network and intelligence (Provincial) is still in place in Embu, and to date [nobody] has been apprehended and charged?" The Diocese expressed fears that the security officers in the area could have been compromised.

Fr Muriuki, who spoke to CISA on Tuesday, June 24, however said that Embu was not facing general insecurity, as there appeared to be no attacks waged against banks or businesses in the area. "We are not going to rest until security is restored," he added. He said that all those killed were completely beheaded, or had their throats slit.

When he presided over Corpus Christi celebrations at Embu stadium on Sunday, June 22, 2003, Fr Muriuki spoke out on the grisly killings.

The Embu Catholic Parish and Nguviu Boys High School are among ten institutions that have been attacked.