This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
On June 27, 2021, Pastor Reuben Lukoye of African Israel Nineveh, Amalemba, preached in Kakamega town. The government has been urged to review the closure of churches in 13 counties of Western and Nyanza following a spike in Covid-19 infections.
According to Kisii Pastors Fellowship, the authorities did not follow a proper channel of consultation when closing churches. The fellowship's chairman, Lawrence Omambia, stated that churches can adhere to health and safety measures, such as wearing masks, sanitizing, and social distancing.
Speaking to journalists in Kisii Town, Pastor Omambia expressed concern over the criteria used to close churches while other high-risk areas remained open. He added that churches had set up modalities to ensure safe services, with most churches having a third of their congregants present.
Another pastor, Alfred Kondo, emphasized the need for congregational worship, which was urgently required. He also criticized the blanket ban on public gatherings, stating that live streaming of services was impossible in rural areas due to limited internet access.
Archbishop Anthony Muheria, chairman of the Interfaith Council for National Response to Coronavirus Pandemic, empathized with the situation in the region. In a letter to religious leaders, he informed them of discussions with Interior and Health Cabinet Secretaries to minimize the closure period and address the aggressive Covid-19 Delta variant.
Archbishop Muheria also appealed to leaders to refrain from political meetings, citing the effects of loose Covid-19 protocols in such gatherings. He asked religious leaders to continue live streaming worship services with a presence of not more than 15 people until further development.
