Matiang'i, Kagwe Appoint Team to Reopen Churches Soon [LIST]

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has teamed up with his health counterpart Mutahi Kagwe to kickstart the phased reopening of places of worship. 

According to a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the 15-member team will meet to develop protocols that will help faith-based organisations return to normalcy. 

“In line with the directives issued during the eighth presidential address on the Coronavirus pandemic on Saturday, June 6, Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior) and Mutahi Kagwe (Health) have jointly appointed an interfaith council that will oversee phased reopening of places of worship.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (Left) and his Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi during a press briefing in March 2020.

 “This follows extensive consultations between the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government and the Ministry of Health with inter-religious leaders,” read the press release.

The team will be chaired by Most (Rev) Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese.

The council will oversee the resumption of in-person congregational worship and spiritual functions in strict adherence to the containment measures put in place by the government to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the country. 

Premising their undertaking on WHO’s cautionary advice that the novel Coronavirus could become endemic in the human population, the team is also expected to co-opt any other persons to ensure the agreed general standard operating procedures are cascade to all faith leaders at the grassroots. 

Members of the council include Rev (Can) Rosemary Mbogo, Pastor (Dr) Samuel Makori, Al Hajj Hassan Ole Naado, Sheikh Sukyan Hassan Omar, Sheikh Abdulatif Abdulkarim, Rev (Fr) Joseph Mutie, Bishop (Dr) David Oginde, Rev Connie Kivuti, Sujata Kotamraju, Rt Rv (Dr) Samuel Thiong’o Mwangi and Sheikh Ali Saidi Samoiah.

Doctor Kepha Ombacho, doctor Francis Kuria and Paul Famba will serve as the joint secretaries.

The mandate of the team shall lapse on December 31, 2020, but may be extended at the discretion of President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Outgoing CITAM Bishop David Oginde has been vocal in pushing for the reopening of places of worship.

During a meeting with religious CSs Matiang’i, Kagwe and religious leaders on June 5, he urged all clergymen to take responsibility and make sure that the masses adhere to the Covid-19 containment measures.

“To win the war, everyone must take responsibility, and as religious leaders, we are buttressing the government’s efforts,” he stated. 

Archbishop Anthony Muheria appointed to chair the interfaith council on phased reopening of places of worship.

File