KENYA: Interfaith Council Hails Government for Allowing Resumption of Congregational Worship in Kenya’s Five Counties

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Members of the Interfaith Council for National Response to Coronavirus Pandemic have expressed their joy after Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta restored in-person worship in five zoned counties that have been under cessation of movement for nearly a month.

In their statement dated Tuesday, May 4, and signed by the Chairman Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, the Council members rejoiced about the reopening of worship places saying, “We particularly celebrate that we can now resume in-person worship” in the regions that have been under restriction of movement comprising counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos and Kajiado.

Delivering his speech to citizens on Saturday, May 1, concerning the lifting of some restrictions in places that were dabbed Covid-19 hotspots in the country, the Head of State said, “In-person and congregational worship shall resume in strict fidelity to the guidelines issued by the Inter-Faith Council and Ministry of Health.”

“However, congregation is capped to a third of the capacity of the place of worship,” the President added.

In keeping with the Presidential order, the Interfaith Council which comprise of 16 members from various faith institutions encourage the faithful to remain vigilant to the dangers the pandemic still poses even as the restrictions are lifted.

“We appeal to all religious leaders to reiterate the importance of the preventive measures especially of wearing facemasks at all times in all public places. Let us be responsible,” the Council members noted, also urging all Kenyans to get vaccinated, “as this is the most definite way to contain the power of the virus.”

Other than holding worship services in open places and keeping strict social distancing of one and half metres without exception and with large circulation spaces, the religious leaders have proposed that the services should last “no longer than 120minutes” and at the same time, the faithful “must still avoid any common use of water or shared item.”

The Interfaith Council members further advise religious leaders to encourage their congregants to “ensure compliance to the Interfaith Guidelines in places of Worship.”

“We ask you to demand strict adherence to these guidelines. The nation still needs your cooperation to maintain the focus of all Kenyans and give them hope in their diverse circumstances,” they said adding that “It is human that people get tired after such a long period but it is our duty to keep this fight against the Covid enemy alive.”

They have asked all believers in the country “to remember especially those still ailing from Covid19, those who have lost their loved ones, and those still struggling with the economic effects of the virus.”

Besides they continued, “We also remember those in other countries like India, who are in a major Covid crisis. Let us raise our prayers even more intensely to God asking for an end to this pandemic.”

The Council led by Archbishop Muheria applauded the health workers “who for the past 14 months have worked tirelessly and in dangerous environments of infection,” for God’s continued blessings upon them and their families.”