This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
As Kenya prepares to ease some COVID-19 measures, a section of the clergy is pushing for a review of the guidelines for the phased reopening of places of worship.
According to the guidelines, persons aged 59 years and above have been urged to stay away from places of worship due to health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the men of the cloth argue that most of their colleagues are well above 58 years, the age limit set by the government, and want the guideline struck off as it will bar most of them from carrying out their shepherd duties.
The move by the government to discourage the elderly from going to places of worship has been met with criticism by a section of the clergy.
Beginning Tuesday next week, Kenyan faithful will be allowed to congregate in places of worship, but the conditional phased reopening comes with a caveat - adherence to public health protocols.
The government engaged an interfaith council on modalities that will be used to ensure public health protocols are adhered to in places of worship, weeks before the phased reopening.
