This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta re-opened churches in Kenya after a 15-week closure due to COVID-19.
At a press conference in Narok town, Bishop Peter Nakola, the Chairman of the Narok Pastors Fellowship, expressed gratitude to the President for the decision.
‘We don’t need to be supervised by anyone to follow the laid down guidelines. We are obedient and law-abiding citizens because we do not want the church to be an epicenter of the spread of coronavirus,’ he reiterated.
According to Bishop Nakola, the church closure had led to a rise in gender-based violence cases, teenage pregnancies, and defilements.
‘The children have been misbehaving because there is no guidance and mentorship from the church, but we hope that now the church is opened, they will receive some spiritual nourishment that will help them behave in a good manner,’ he said.
Rev. Fredrick Lemama, the Secretary of the Pastors Fellowship, added that while churches were streaming online services, many congregants did not benefit due to a lack of necessary gadgets.
‘It is our duty to pray for this nation because God has put us to watch over His flocks. I urge all pastors to be vigilant in praying for our nation,’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Narok Line Sacco Services management, which plies the Narok-Nairobi route, commended the President for lifting the lockdown in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties.
According to their supervisor, Moses Kuyioni, the transport sector had been severely affected, losing over 1000 employees and Sh.10 Million in the short time they were closed down.
