Two pastors along with 26 congregates were last Sunday arrested after police in Kitale found them attending a church service contrary to COVID19 regulations churches in
Trans Nzoia county police commander Ayubu Gitonga said that they were arrested after they disobeyed a presidential order to stop gatherings in a bid to stop the spread of covid 19 disease that has claimed the lives of over 34,000 people worldwide.
He said that they were arrested following a tip off from members of the public who informed the police through the hotline for defying the order.
According the police boss, Pastor Benard Tali and the faithful have been placed in custody and would be charged for failing to adhere to the required guidelines.
“We found service ongoing, consequently police arrested the presiding pastor and congregation numbering 20 and they have been placed in custody,” he said.
Accordingly, they will also be charged for failure to adhere to the provisions of the Public Health Act.
In another incident, in Kwanza a pastor – Benson Kiptoo, his assistants – Florence Moraa and six faithfuls were also arrested for going against presidential directives.
“Other members of the church managed to escape as operation is still ongoing to monitor any social gathering,” said, Ayub Ali.
The government has been urging Kenyans to stay at home in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly corona virus through social gathering.
Ayubu asked residents to be vigilant and report any event that attracts gatherings in an effort to contain the covid 19.
Most churched have adhered to the directive and are reaching out to followers through social media.
In Nyeri Bishop Wachira Karani of Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) church in Asian Quarters within Nyeri Town was arrested by detectives at around 11am following a tip-off from members of the public that he was conducting a service thereby risking the lives of their faithful.
At the time of the arrest, there were some 13 members who were ordered to leave as the man of cloth was booked in at Nyeri Central Police Station.
He was later released on a free bond awaiting arraignment in court once courts resume.
