A Kisii politician was not amused when a chief in Nyamira County said that he was going to comb villages starting Saturday to ensure no group gathers for worship at home.
It had come to the chief’s attention that some worshippers meet in small ‘clusters’ at home for fellowship because churches and mosques are closed in the Nyanza region as a Covid-19 containment measure.
The showdown between Samuel Apoko, Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kiogoro ward and Mochenwa chief happened before mourners at the funeral of William Motuka at Mosangora, Maanga Settlement Scheme Friday.
Motuka was the administrator of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH).
At the funeral, the chief said that he will hunt Christians who have elected to evade government crackdown on gatherings in churches by meeting in small groups of ten at homes and arrest them.
This threat irked Apoko (pictured above) and he didn’t hide his feelings.
He argued that chiefs have failed to arrest chang’aa dealers in villages.
He wondered why the grassroot administrators have turned their heat on innocent faithfuls.
Apoko wondered why supermarkets and schools remain open yet they handle many people.
He said in such places people assemble in groups of more than 10 and don’t get arrested.
He further wondered why the chiefs are targeting family worship.
Ironically, there were hundreds of mourners at the funeral the Chief had addressed.
Apoko said he would unleash terror on such a chief if he came from his Nyaribari Chache constituency where the politician hails from.
The debate the two leaders ignited went on for long, raising a number of concerns.
One, did the government ban worship per se or worship gatherings in large numbers?
Two, does it make sense to ban worship in small groups when staff and students in universities, colleges and schools walk in into and out of classes and compounds daily?
Three, why is the political class going around addressing crowds as usual?
Four, isn’t it common knowledge that chiefs are “talked to” to look elsewhere as funerals involving large numbers are held?
While we are all desirous of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, honesty and impartiality are required in the enforcement of the laid protocols.
