{
  "id": 6136339,
  "title": "Chaos at ‘Virgin Mary Shrine’ as homeowner tears down kitchen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/chaos-at-virgin-mary-shrine-as-homeowner-tears-down-kitchen",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T12:53:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/chaos-at-virgin-mary-shrine-as-homeowner-tears-down-kitchen/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At least two individuals sustained injuries during a clash between pilgrims and guards hired by homeowner Charles Onsombi in Emenwa, Bogichoncho village, Nyamache, Kisii County, on Monday morning. The conflict arose amidst a surge in visitors drawn to the property after claims that an image resembling the Virgin Mary had appeared there. Homeowner Onsombi expressed his dismay at the constant influx of pilgrims, stating that it had disrupted his life and deprived his family of privacy. He claimed, \"I have lost my peace. This is my home, not a shrine.\"\n\nThe situation escalated on Monday, prompting Onsombi to enlist the aid of a guard armed with a machete to deter visitors from his property. However, the demolition of the kitchen where the alleged Virgin Mary image had been reported to have appeared did little to curb the flow of pilgrims. By Monday morning, a steady stream of Catholics carrying rosaries, including four Catholic sisters and political aspirant Brian Gori, continued to visit the compound. Some visitors were seen gathering dry earth from the site of the alleged apparition, while others collected handfuls of the dry mud.\n\nOnsombi's frustration with the incessant visitors became apparent as he confronted some youths attempting to force their way into his homestead. \"I just don't want anybody here anymore,\" he declared during the confrontation. At least two people were injured during the ensuing clashes between the guards and pilgrims, according to local residents.\n\nThe incident has sparked debate within the village, with some residents viewing the sudden attention as an economic opportunity for Bogichoncho. John Keraka suggested that the site could put the village on the map, benefiting local businesses. Onsombi, however, rejected calls to commercialize the site, insisting, \"I cannot sell my peace.\" He emphasized that he did not invite these visitors and did not want his home turned into a business.\n\nThe confrontation also frustrated some Catholic pilgrims who had traveled from distant locations to Emenwa, hoping to pray at the site. One pilgrim expressed confusion, questioning why visitors should be chased away if the site had brought people together in prayer. Another pilgrim acknowledged Onsombi's right to his property but called for restraint, urging believers to respect his compound without resorting to violence.\n\nSome believers, however, acknowledged Onsombi's right to privacy but lamented the demolition of the kitchen, which they believed had only heightened curiosity about the alleged Virgin Mary apparition. Thomas Ongaga, a pilgrim, appealed for calm, stating, \"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.\"\n\nThe Catholic parish priest, Edward Nyakundi, had previously warned pilgrims to exercise caution and avoid attributing the alleged apparition to independent verification. Onsombi's primary concern remains reclaiming his home, while the pilgrims remain committed to their spiritual journey. The sudden attention surrounding the alleged apparition has left some villagers torn between the potential economic benefits and the desire to maintain peace and respect for private property.",
  "summary": "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 [...] The post Chaos at ‘Virgin Mary…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}