Low-key Easter Sunday celebrations

Faithful pray outside Sacred Hearth of Jesus church on Sunday, April 4, 2021. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]

The country once again witnessed low-key Easter celebrations with a handful of worshipers attending services in churches in different parts.

In Nakuru, one of the five counties under lockdown, some churches transmitted their services through Television stations while others used social media platforms.

The Anglican Church of Kenya Nakuru Diocese was empty. Clerics only engaged in online services that were transmitted through Facebook and Youtube.

One of the church clerics observed that the celebration was dull without a congregation. He said services transmitted online could only reach few people, as those without access to gadgets such as smartphones would be left out.

Christ The King Cathedral Catholic Church’s gate was closed and Christians were not allowed in the church.

Lay Apostolate Coordinator of Nakuru Diocese Ronald Sunguti said a mass was conducted by priests and nuns and transmitted through a local radio station.

“Bishop Maurice Muhatia conducted mass at his residence. The mass was recorded and will be played in the evening through the church radio,” said Sunguti.

Pastor Alex Maina of Deliverance Church and chair of Nakuru Pastors Fellowship lamented on the Easter celebrations without Christians.

“People following our services are less than 10 per cent because they are not used to online services,” he said.

Quiet Easter

Pastor Lee Nyantika of World Overcomers Church said it has been a quiet Easter with no celebrations. He urged Christians to stay at home, pray and observe Covid-19 regulations.

In Trans Nzoia County, churches conducted services under strict Covid-19 guidelines as stipulated by the Ministry of Health.

Faithful were screened with services shortened to last for just one hour.  Pastor John Wafula of Christ the King Ministries termed Covid-19 real and scary.

In Nyeri, Christians came out to celebrate in their churches but in strict conformity to Covid-19 guidelines. The numbers of those who attended the Easter masses were low compared to the past.

At Our Lady of Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri, temperatures were checked and faithful sanitised before being allowed in the church compound. Only 300 worshippers were allowed in the church as the rest followed the mass from makeshift tents outside.

Archbishop Anthony Muheria appealed to Christians to pray for the country to overcome the pandemic.

“Even as we worship and celebrate Easter Sunday, let us pray, hope and expect we shall overcome the effects of Covid-19 that has occasioned the suffering of many,” Muheria said.

At Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Nyamachaki, things were not different, with hundreds turning up for the Mass.

At Newlife Church, Pastor Paul Wanjohi appealed to Christians to adhere to the recent measures announced by the government to reduce the infection rate.

Parish priest of St Joseph Cathedral in Meru town, Father David Kaberia, delivered Mass in a service attended by a sizeable number, who adhered to social distancing.

Hard times

In Kisii, area Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop John Omangi said they have been encouraging pastors and evangelists to practice tent ministry like Apostle Paul in the Bible, which includes secular work and church ministry in order to cushion themselves in times of crisis.

He said churches are undergoing trying moments since Christians are no longer meeting for worship or pay tithes and offerings regularly.

“As a diocese we are encouraging church ministers to also be practising other professions to sustain themselves with our churches also encouraged to start income-generating activities to be able to support their programmes,” said Bishop Omangi.

The cleric also called on the government to enlist pastors and evangelists in structured churches among people offering essential services.

The Presiding Pastor of the Gospel Embassy Chapel in Kisii Town, Peter Morwabe, said uncertainties are unforeseen but they exist somehow, with new times calling for new approaches and measures to manage them.

Morwabe said with limited church attendance they have resorted to spreading the word of God through Facebook and YouTube, though with limitation since at least 70 per cent of church members were not connected to the social media platforms thus cutting them off from receiving spiritual nourishment.

“We have been forced to use our savings to pay our pastors and other church employees with prayers that the Covid-19 pandemic soon comes to an end to avoid our operations ending up in a crisis. We are, however, sure that God will intervene soon,” said Morwabe.

In North Rift, unlike the years before, churches witnessed low turnout, although most Christians chose to attend the services.

At Sacred of Heart Cathedral in Eldoret, a celebratory mood was evident all over as choirs and praise and worship teams led the faithful in declaring messages of victory.

Fumigation

The first service witnessed a fair attendance with faithful washing their hands and sanitising before heading to the church where social distancing was encouraged.

After the first service, the church took a 30-minute break in which a fumigation exercise took place.

"A good number of people turned out, but the church was not full because of the social distancing guidelines. We are happy we have celebrated Easter although differently from last year, but at least we have had a chance to meet other Christians," said Ken Limo, a Catholic faithful.

"We used to shake hands during the services, and we would spend the whole day celebrating Jesus' resurrection, but now we have to ensure that our safety is a priority," added Limo.

Prisca Chesire, an usher at the church, said Christians had taken the opportunity to pray for the nation.

Traders also paraded their wares, including Sacramento and rosaries, expecting business as sales are often over the roof during such Sundays.

Travis Nalako, a trader at the Catholic Church, said he hoped his business would do better compared to the other Sundays.

Nalako said previous years witnessed a high turnout that a tent had to be erected outside the church to cater for the congregants who came from various parts of the region.

"You can't compare today's turnout to other years when the church would be full and others had to stay outside," said Nalako.

A similar scenario played out in Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma counties, with churches witnessing low turnout.

Worshipers who attended the important service did so in strict conformity to Covid-19 guidelines. Some churches were forced to conduct between three to four separate services in order to give believers a chance to attend.

In Kakamega, Milimani ACK Christ Church Cathedral services were split to cater to the worshipers' spiritual needs.

Anglican Church Maseno North Diocese Bishop Charles Asilutwa regretted that the pandemic had disrupted church activities and denied believers the freedom to pray together and interact freely.

Asilutwa said this Easter holiday was different as Christians were forced to celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ in a unique way.

Mumias Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Joseph Wandere conducted a brief service. “We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and as the Easter story goes, we should keep minding our neighbours and keep abiding by the Covid-19 regulations,” said Wandere.