Chaos at ‘Virgin Mary Shrine’ as homeowner tears down kitchen
At least two people were injured on Monday morning following a confrontation between pilgrims and guards hired by a homeowner in Emenwa, Bogichoncho village, Nyamache, Kisii County.
The confrontation came amid a growing influx of visitors to the compound following claims that an image resembling the Virgin Mary had appeared there.
But homeowner Charles Onsombi says the constant stream of pilgrims has disrupted his life and denied his family privacy.
“I have lost my peace. This is my home, not a shrine,” Onsombi said as pilgrims continued arriving at his homestead.
The situation escalated on Monday, forcing him to hire a guard armed with a machete to keep visitors away.
Onsombi had also demolished the kitchen structure where the alleged image of the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared.
However, the demolition did little to stop the flow of visitors.
By Monday morning, pilgrims—many of them Catholics carrying rosaries—were still arriving in small groups and individually.
At least four Catholic sisters were among those who visited the compound, while political aspirant Brian Gori arrived carrying a sack of maize.
Inside the homestead, a heap of dry mud remained at the spot where the alleged image was said to have appeared. The roof lay several metres away, while some visitors were seen collecting handfuls of the dry earth.
Onsombi said the constant stream of visitors had left him exhausted.
“I have not even had time to eat properly. From morning to evening, I am dealing with people coming into my compound,” he said.
His frustration boiled over when he confronted some youths who were allegedly attempting to force their way into the homestead.
“I just don’t want anybody here anymore,” Onsombi said during the confrontation.
The ensuing clashes between the guards and pilgrims left at least two people injured, according to residents.
The incident has divided opinion in the village, with some residents viewing the sudden attention as a potential economic opportunity.
John Keraka said the phenomenon could put Bogichoncho on the map and benefit local businesses.
“This could put Bogichoncho on the map. People will need food, water, transport and somewhere to rest. Instead of fighting the visitors, we should have organised ourselves and benefited from the opportunity,” he said.
Onsombi, however, rejected calls to commercialise the site.
“I cannot sell my peace,” he said. “I did not invite these people here, and I don’t want my home turned into a business.”
The confrontation has also frustrated some Catholic pilgrims who travelled from far-flung areas to Emenwa hoping to pray at the site.
“I have come all the way here because I heard people were praying at this place. We did not come to fight anybody. We came to pray,” said one pilgrim.
Another visitor, clutching a rosary, questioned why pilgrims should be chased away if the site had brought people together in prayer.
“If this place has brought people together in prayer, why should we be chased away? Nobody is forcing the owner to believe what we believe,” the pilgrim said.
However, some believers acknowledged Onsombi’s right to his property and called for restraint.
“We are believers, but we should not turn somebody’s home into a battlefield. Faith cannot be expressed through force. We should respect his compound,” said Jane Marani, a Catholic who visited the area.
Njoroge Mogire, another pilgrim, said the demolition of the kitchen had only heightened curiosity about the alleged apparition.
“If the owner did not want people coming, he could have asked the Church and the authorities to help. Demolishing the place has only made people more curious,” he said.
Thomas Ongaga, who was wearing a rosary, appealed for calm following the injuries.
“We are Catholics. We believe in prayer, but we do not believe in violence. Nobody should be injured because of this. Let the truth come out peacefully,” he said.
Mary Kerubo said pilgrims should not be allowed to force their way into private property.
“We did not come here to take his land. We came because we heard something unusual had happened. If he wants us to leave, he should tell us peacefully. There is no need for machetes,” she said.
On Sunday, local Cathedral Parish priest Edward Nyakundi said the alleged apparition had not been independently verified and urged believers to exercise caution.
For Onsombi, the issue remains straightforward: he wants his home back.
For the pilgrims, however, the story is far from over.
And for some villagers, the sudden attention surrounding the alleged apparition could represent an opportunity they are unwilling to let disappear.
