UPDATE 3:09 p.m: Catholic Bishops on Thursday, March 19, announced that its churches will remain open in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus.
Through a press statement signed by the Chairman of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Philip Ndolo, the church stated that it would remain a focal point of prayer.
"The Holy Masses will continue to be celebrated in our Churches but the Bishops' Conference recommends that the Diocesan Bishops grant temporary dispensation from the Sunday obligation for the next three weeks for any faithful who are able to attend it.
"However, those who are able to attend mass may do observing all measures of prudence. At the same time, we ask priests to exercise caution in regard to large gatherings, that is, keeping the recommended distance of one metre," part of the statement read.
UPDATE: 10:00 a.m: Deliverance Church Umoja on Wednesday, March 18, called upon its members to remain calm and pray without ceasing.
The church stated that it would be open to those who wanted to attend Sunday services but made a few changes.
"To avoid overcrowding and observe social distancing as encouraged by the World Health Organisation, we have re-arranged the sitting inside the main sanctuary to minimize physical contact," part of a statement by the church read.
The church also encouraged the parents to leave their children at home, citing that there would be no Sunday School.
UPDATE: 1.32 p.m: Jamia mosque on Wednesday, March 18, announced the temporary suspension of all congregational prayers over coronavirus.
"The Jamia mosque has with the effect from Wednesday, March 18, temporarily and regrettably suspended the conduct of all congregational prayers until further notice," read an excerpt from the statement.
Further, the Jamia Mosque committee stated that it would continue to monitor the situation and advise the Muslim ummah (community) accordingly.
Three churches have had to cancel their Sunday services following the Coronavirus scare in the country.
The churches include; All Saints' Cathedral, Nairobi Chapel and PCEA.
In a press statement by All Saints' Cathedral, they stated that all Sunday and weekday services had been cancelled with effect from Wednesday, March 18, for the next two weeks.
The church stated that it would monitor the situation and further advise on any changes.
Additionally, the statement urged those who had prepared to get married in the affected period to cancel their wedding plans, including the receptions.
"If there are any compelling reasons for any wedding to take place within this period, the provost will give permission on the understanding that the wedding shall have no more than 10 people admitted into the Sanctuary and will take only 30 minutes," read an excerpt from the statement.
Further, the church stated that the 10 who would attend the wedding should not exhibit Coronavirus related symptoms.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) also suspended all Sunday services, meetings and church gatherings.
The church stated that all meetings would be suspended until further notice, urging members to use digital and online platforms.
Yet again on Tuesday, March 17, Nairobi Chapel, Trinity Chapel and Faith Ministries Family of Churches suspended all its corporate worship gatherings, all public church programs and events with immediate effect.
The church announced that the suspension would last a 30-day period.
Further, the church stated that it would make available to all members of the congregation, a family and worship service that includes sermons, age-appropriate Bible studies, personal devotions, prayer guides and children worksheets on various media platforms.
On Wednesday, March 18, Christ is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) also suspended all Sunday and Mid-week services for the next three Sundays.
The Ministry advised congregants to watch the service on Facebook or alternatively on Hope TV or listen on Hope FM.
"We also encourage our members and friends to confine our meetings within their homes until further notice," read part of their statement.
On its part, Deliverance Church Umoja called upon its members to remain calm and pray without ceasing.
The church stated that it would be open to those who wanted to attend Sunday services.
"To avoid overcrowding and observe social distancing as encouraged by the World Health Organisation, we have re-arranged the sitting inside the main sanctuary to minimize physical contact," part of a statement by the church read.
Further, the church stated that it would provide enough soap and sanitizers to ensure hygiene was observed.
The churches have taken the above measures after President Uhuru Kenyatta directed Kenyans to avoid congregating in places of worship.
