A pastor from Jesus Celebration Church (JCC) in Ongata Rongai, on Sunday, April 4, lashed out at armed police officers for desecrating God's alter and disrupting live church service.
A video taken by one of the congregants captured the whole incident which showed pastor Peter Mwarabu engage in animated discussion with the officers who stormed the church to stop the service in line with the Covid-19 regulations.
"What are you going to do to me, do you know who I am," the pastor can be heard telling one of the officers.
The police officer explained to Mwarabu that the church service went contrary to the directives issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the temporal closure of all churches within the counties of Nairobi, Nakuru, Kajiado, Machakos, and Kiambu.
The armed officers said that the church had flouted Uhuru's directive.
The church later issued a statement notifying the online congregants that its services had been disrupted.
"We wish to let our online members know that our services have been interrupted by the law enforcers despite following the laid down regulations. We have escalated the same with the relevant forum. Let's continue to pray for our nation," the statement from the church read.
The video went viral with a number of Kenyans weighing in on the issue.
"Very awkward...Where is the interchurch council now...This is too much now.
"This is very unfortunate in our nation. Live recordings are allowed. The harassment is uncalled for. Markets and supermarkets are crowded seven days a week. The church is well organized with all the requirements that have been asked for by the Ministry of Health. Why can't the church do a live recording for one hour a week?
"It is high time we sons of God get to know that we are the church, the altar, and not the physical building that really matters. Outbursts of anger aren't biblical and at times like this, we should take it upon us to let them know we have observed all protocols required," section of the comments read.
PEFA Kahawa West Bishop Peter Ambuka also criticized the directives issued by Uhuru terming them as unfair to the church.
He wondered why churches are issued with the same restrictions as bars, despite the religious institutions following all the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.
Pastor Ambuka urged Uhuru to revise the measures and allow congregants to return to church while adhering to the Covid-19 protocols.
Watch the video below:
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