Covid-19: Police arrest Kakamega priest for defying State order

A past function at Amalemba Parish in Kakamega County. Police say the unnamed priest had been warned three times against conducting church gatherings but continued to hold prayer services. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Police say he had been warned three times against conducting church gatherings but continued holding prayer services.

Police in Kakamega County have arrested a priest who defied the government order not to congregate by converging a prayer meeting in the church on Monday.

The cleric from Amalemba Catholic Church was arrested by police for contravening the presidential directive and assembling a prayer meeting with over 15 female leaders from the church.

Kakamega Central Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) David Kabena said police had previously warned the priest three times against conducting church gatherings but he had defied them and continued holding prayer services.

Mr Kabena, however, did not reveal the name of the priest.

The government has directed citizens to keep a distance of at least one metre apart and banned large gatherings, including at churches, mosques and other worship places across the country.

“Today, during our normal crackdown on worship places, we found the father of Amalemba Catholic Church leading a prayer session with the female faithful in the church and arrested him. Leaders at all levels should lead in the fight against this dreaded disease,” said Mr Kabena.

The police in riot gear also moved around streets in Kakamega town and used tear gas to disperse crowds as a measure to contain spread of the new coronavirus.

“We don’t want to be ignorant of the presidential directive and lose lives. We have launched a crackdown on all bars, Public Service Vehicles and unnecessary groupings within the county,” he said.