Worshipers Run to Safety as Police Storm Church Service

An armed Kenya police officer steps out of a police car.
An armed Kenya police officer steps out of a police car.
File

A pastor and 20 worshipers were arrested while several others ran to safety after police stormed a church service in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, March 29.

In contravention of government directives banning all public gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pastor Ben Tali had led a service at Impact Healing Mega Church located along the Kitale-Eldoret Road.

The pastor had further locked the church doors and gate with the congregants inside to avoid a possible breach. Police, however, eventually gained access to the church, with several worshipers escaping as they scampered for safety.

Along with several worshipers, the pastor was arrested and taken to Kitale Police Station.

An undated image of a police vehicle at a scene of a crime
A police vehicle pictured at a scene of a crime
Photo
NPS

"The church must lead by example and not behave like this," stated Assistant County Commissioner (DCC) Abdullahi Khalifa who noted that the church was going against the Public Order Act.

A government directive had banned gatherings at churches, mosques, shrines and other religious sites as one of the measures to combat Covid-19.

While many religious organisations including churches have opted to move their services online or cancel them entirely, others have remained defiant.

On Sunday, March 29 as well, for instance, two pastors were arrested in Kitengela, Kajiado County after a tip-off from members of the public.

The duo was found conducting a church service, albeit in an empty church, at Tabernacle Church in Changombe area.

With the pastors using a public address system, the service attracted a large crowd which gathered outside the church before the police swung into action.

The pastors, Paul Nzungula and Peter Kimani were arrested as equipment which included a speaker, a piano, a mixer and one microphone was confiscated.

The incident was confirmed by Kajiado West sub-county police commander Kinyua Mugambi who revealed that the two had been released on police bond and would be charged at a later date.

Church faithful in Embakasi dispersing following a police raid on March 22, 2020 |ERIC AMBUCHE
Church faithful in Embakasi dispersing following a police raid on March 22, 2020 |ERIC AMBUCHE
  • . .