Security beefed up in churches

The government on Sunday beefed up security in churches across the country following recent terrorist attacks.

In Central and Eastern regions, four policemen were deployed to each of the churches to screen those who wanted to attend services.

Eastern police boss Marcus Ochola said the officers positioned themselves in strategic places.

“We sent officers to places of worship because we have to protect the worshippers,” he said.

Last Sunday, 14 people were killed in simultaneous grenade attacks in two churches in Garissa.

In Nyeri, armed police officers were seen at church entrances, frisking the faithful.

The Nation team spotted two uniformed officers frisking members at Our Lady of Consolata and Kenya Assemblies of God churches in Nyeri.

Central police spokesman John Katumo said four officers were sent to each church.

Embu police boss Gasper Makau said four uniformed officers and two plain clothes detectives were sent to churches in the area.

“We have ordered the officers to patrol the churches, even after the faithful left,” he said.

In Othaya, the district security team urged clerics to buy at least metal detectors to check on those going into their churches.

Area police boss Adriel Nyange said church leaders were also advised to be wary of new faces.

Security was on Sunday boosted in most churches in Kisumu town.

Area district security committee, led by the deputy district commissioner of Kisumu East, Mr Willy Cheboi, last week resolved to deploy armed security officers in all churches in the town.

Mr Peter Barack Okumu, the St Joseph Milimani Catholic Church parish chairman, said in addition to the officers provided by the government, they engaged the services of security guards.

In Bomet, members of the St Michael Catholic Church will from next Sunday be frisked by security personnel before entering the place of worship.

Suspicious visitors

In Nyamira, deacons and ushers at the Seventh Day Adventist Church will subject irregular visitors to security checks.

SDA district pastor John Nyatogo urged church members to be cautious and report any suspicious visitors to their leaders for action.

In Murang’a, clerics, led by bishops Stanley Michuki and Joseph Moilu of the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches and Ministries, urged the government to provide security to all churches in the country.

Reported by Eric Mutai, Geoffrey Rono, Samuel Karanja and Henry Nyarora