By Collins Wanzallah
Reports indicate that unknown individuals abducted Bishop Dr. Patrick Lihanda, a candidate for General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Kenya, on Saturday evening. According to his driver, Felix, at 6:11 PM on August 28, Bishop Lihanda sent a distress message indicating that his life was in danger.
Felix immediately tried to contact the bishop, but all of his phones had been turned off. Concerned, Felix reported the incident at Gambogi Police Station, where the Deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS) took charge of the case.
A church administrator at the PAG headquarters in Nyangori confirmed the abduction, stating that the disappearance had been officially reported to Mbale Police Station under OB number 30/28/9/2024. At the time of his disappearance, Bishop Lihanda was driving a white Mercedes Benz, registration number KBW 547X. The administrator, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said the police were actively investigating the matter.
He also urged people to refrain from making speculative comments that could distress the bishop’s family, who are going through a difficult time. “Bishop Lihanda is a father, husband, and son. His family needs our support during this challenging period,” he said, calling on the congregation and the public to keep the bishop and his family in their prayers, with hopes for his safe return.
Vihiga County police assured the public they were working around the clock to locate Bishop Lihanda and pledged to provide updates as soon as possible. The disappearance comes amid a highly contested race for the PAG General Superintendent position, set to take place before the end of the year, in which Bishop Lihanda was one of the leading candidates.
