Some 38 people were arrested at Jesus Ministry Church in the Roysambu area as calls to occupy it gained momentum amid heavy police presence
on Sunday.
They were taken to Kasarani police station for grilling,
police said.
This came as Bishop Edward Mwai of the Jesus Winner Ministry
church in Nairobi’s Roysambu area claimed that unnamed people he knows mobilised
“thugs” to demonstrate at the house of prayer on Sunday.
He made the remarks as dozens of police were deployed to the
church for protection from a group that planned a protest there.
More than a dozen youths were detained and roughed up in the
church.
Some were beaten by police for planning chaos, even as Mwai
said he had ordered their release.
The protest, organised online under the #OccupyJesusWinner
hashtag, came after President William Ruto’s March 2 visit to the church, where
he promised a Sh20 million donation and a further Sh100 million for an upcoming
fundraiser.
Addressing faithful at the church, Mwai, without naming
names, said he knew those behind the planned protest and accused them of
“using our children”.
“People I know very well used them and even sent some here
today. Someday, they will know there is God’s presence at this altar. May God
forgive our children who are being used in such a manner,” he said.
“Some of those are thugs wearing Jesus Winner badges here.
Please do not touch them, we are a peaceful church.”
He told his followers he had forgiven those who had insulted
him following the donation pledge, saying, “I forgive all those who have
insulted me and called me names and leave it to God may he forgive them.”
