SDA worshipers arrested for holding a church service
By David Musundi
Fifty Seven (57) worshipers of Mitume Seventh Adventist Church(SDA) in Trans-Nzoia County were on Saturday arrested after they were found conducting a church service despite a government ban on church services.
The worshipers are said to have misinterpreted Justice Aaron Makau’s ruling on Friday on alternative form of worship mechanism to mean lifting of the ban on church congregating as has been before the ban due to the corona virus pandemic.
Trans Nzoia West Deputy County Commissioner Abdulilahi Khalifa who led the swoop which netted the faithful at their Mitume church in Matisi location warned worshipers against defying the ban saying the idea of feigning ignorance will lead to severe punishment since ignorance has no defence in the Kenyan law.
'' Ignorance has no defence and these SDA faithful are going to serve as an example to the rest.We are taking them to a quarantine centre at their own costs to deter others from flouting rules with impunity'', said the DCC.
The SDA Church Ministerial Director of the north west conference Joseph Namunyu the matter is under keen investigation on why the faithful decided to congregate against the set rules.
He called on the government to roll out public awareness especially on the court ruling that has so far misled many church faithful.
Trans nzoia county police commander Ayub Gitonga told the churches to comply with the government regulations and warned that no one would be spared in the crackdown on those flouting mass gatherings.
