This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Published on July 8, 2020, a section of clergy in Taita-Taveta County have expressed concerns over COVID-19 church re-opening directives, terming them discriminatory and a gross violation of the elderly's freedom of worship.
Bishop Dr. Meshack Nyangala, overseer of Revival Powers and Reconciliation Ministries in Kenya, stated that the restrictions imposed on services were severe, making it virtually impossible to conduct meaningful worship services.
Speaking in his church in Voi, Bishop Nyangala criticized the Inter-religious council for proposing a one-hour church service, saying it was unrealistic and out of touch with reality.
He accused the council, chaired by Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, of misleading the government and asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to use his discretion to ease the rigid restrictions.
Reverend David Zowe of House of Prayer echoed similar sentiments, stating that most churches in the region would not open if the restrictions were not reviewed, as many pastors and preachers were over the stipulated age limit.
Afiz Nyambu, chair of Supreme Council for Kenyan Muslim (Supkem) Taita-Taveta branch, urged the government not to discriminate against the old, emphasizing that they still needed religious nourishment.
