This archive report was first published on 7 January 2020.
On January 5, 2020, Pastor Elisha Misiko of the Ground for God’s Gospel Ministries in Chembani, Mombasa County, took his own life and that of his wife, Ann Mghoi, 45, in a church service.
According to a 17-page suicide note, Pastor Misiko had been struggling with his 13-year marriage, which he described as 'highly troubled.'
The note, titled 'Betrayal and its Consequences,' blamed Pastor Misiko's wife for provoking him into killing her and accused the church and close family members of siding with her instead of helping them resolve their differences.
He claimed his wife had taken over his property and edged him out of the church's management, leading to a series of threats and arrests.
However, Pastor Misiko's family in Idunga village, Vihiga Sub-county, Vihiga County, has come to his defense, saying the couple's differences began after he was jailed for a month for threatening to kill his wife.
They claimed that when Pastor Misiko left prison, he found that his wife had taken over the church and was getting all the church's proceeds, which angered him.
Police Commander Julius Kiragu confirmed that Pastor Misiko had two knives and two copies of the suicide note, which were found in his Bible.
He also revealed that the pastor and his wife had separated, and she had moved with their four children to her parents' home in Taita-Taveta County.
