A quiet Saturday service at Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church ended in horror when a church elder stabbed his colleague to death in front of shocked worshippers.

The victim, Francis Opiyo, 35, was leading a sermon when the attack happened. Witnesses say the assailant, also a church elder, had hidden a knife inside a Bible.

“Francis was handing over the session to his colleague. He had no idea what was coming,” said his brother, Joseph Opiyo.

As Francis closed his sermon, the attacker pulled out the knife and stabbed him in the chest, causing him to collapse on the spot.

A Crime of Jealousy?
The attacker accused Francis of having an affair with his wife, though no clear evidence of the alleged relationship has been presented.

“The suspect’s wife wasn’t even in church, but he had long suspected them,” Joseph added.

After the fatal attack, the suspect fled the scene but later surrendered to local authorities.

Angry residents responded by setting his home on fire.

Police Take Over
Authorities confirmed they had arrested the suspect and were preparing charges.

“He is in custody at Magunga Police Station, and we are interrogating him before presenting him in court,” said Suba South Police Commander Caxton Ndunda.

Ndunda urged the public to seek peaceful ways to resolve personal disputes.

“If there were concerns about infidelity, this should have been addressed through church leaders or community elders—not violence,” he said.

Francis’ body has been taken to St. Camillus Hospital Mortuary in Sori Town, Migori County, as the investigation continues.