This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Published on July 3, 2020, Mombasa Pastors Fellowship (MPF) Chairperson Reverend Elijah Mulavu called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to reopen churches, citing the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kenyan communities.
Since the government imposed social distancing measures, churches in Kenya have been forced to suspend communal worship, fellowship, and counseling, leading to a surge in social ills such as gender violence, teenage pregnancies, and suicidal deaths.
"This has resulted in many social ills within our communities. Gender violence has risen, teenage pregnancies, suicidal deaths, depression, increase in crime and despair among many Kenyans," Reverend Mulavu said.
The MPF leadership emphasized that churches in Mombasa are ready to host congregants again while adhering to social distance and hygiene protocols within the places of worship.
Reverend Mulavu added that pastors have been sensitized by the Ministry of Health and other non-governmental organizations on how to ensure the safety of congregants and fight stigma.
Meanwhile, the Mombasa pastors expressed opposition to the Reproductive Health Bill, which they claim is not different from the rejected provisions of the 2010 constitution.
"The Bill seeks to remove deterrent measures and reduce the sanctity of life of human being. Those who procure abortion in very unhealthy way should be jailed. We reject the Bill in its entirety," Reverend Mulavu said.
