Kenyans flock churches, public places to celebrate Christmas

Hundreds of Christians poured into churches on Saturday to attend this year's Christmas celebrations, unlike last year when the church closed its doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.

And even though faithful gathered in large numbers, there was laxity in observing Covid-19 protocols as congregants mingled freely oblivious of the risk they were exposing themselves to, amid the Omicron variant threat in the country.

In Siaya, ODM leader Raila Odinga joined faithful at St Peters Nyamira Parish in ACK Diocese of Bondo to celebrate Christmas.

Mr Odinga had on Christmas eve joined Kisumu residents for the inaugural Christmas street festival on a night of merrymaking.

In Kakamega, Catholics gathered at St. Joseph's Cathedral for a Christmas eve mass which was led by Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega.

Bishop Obanyi appealed to the faithful to donate to the poor as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

In Homa Bay, Godjope Chief, Fredrick Odera, while speaking at a Christmas service at St Gabriel Nyakayiemba, appealed to locals to go for Covid-19 vaccination.

"You realise the numbers of Covid-19 infections are increasing in the region. Those who haven't received the jab should consider getting vaccinated," he said. 

Elsewhere, residents of Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, Nyandarua, Narok and Samburu Counties flocked various churches and entertainment spots to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas celebrations started on Friday evening, with people flocking to churches while others thronged entertainment spots.

In Nakuru, whereas some residents chose to celebrate Christmas in churches and other places of worship, revellers flocked clubs, restaurants and other entertainment spots.

There was heavy presence of security officers in most churches, public places and shopping malls.

Several entertainment spots along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway and in other towns such as Naivasha, Molo, Njoro and Gilgil were similarly packed with revellers.

In Narok, the Maasai Mara Game Reserve was teeming with local and foreign tourists.

In Naivasha, hundreds of holidaymakers thronged resorts, hotels and campsites, including the Great Rift Valley Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort and the Enashipai Resort and Spa.

“We are recording booming business. The year has been bad but the situation seems to be improving," Senior Warden at Hells Gate National Park, Francis Muchiri, said.

He said the number of visitors had shot up despite the unsettling spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The park is among the few natural habitations that allow visitors a free walk, with rock climbing a big attraction to foreign tourists.

The renovated Nyayo Gardens and Lions Gardens in Nakuru City were also packed.

And while families were celebrating the holiday, traders and food vendors in many town did brisk business.

“Business has been good today because of the huge number of people at the Nyayo Gardens,” Mr James Kuria, a hawker, said.

In places of worship, messages of peace, love and unity dominated sermons. At Christ the King Catholic Church in Nakuru, Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba asked the congregants to share what they have with the less privileged members of the society.

Some residents of Nakuru told the Nation that they chose to celebrate the day in town since they could not make it to their upcountry homes due to the hard economic times.

“I planned to spend Christmas upcountry with my extended family, but I could not manage because of the increased fares,” said Mr John Apusayi, a congregant at Whitehouse Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nakuru.

In Nyandarua and Samburu hundreds of worshippers flocked various churches for fellowship, with peace messages dominating the sermons.

Report by Elizabeth Ojina, Eric Matara, John Njoroge, Waikwa Maina, Vitalis Kimutai, Macharia Mwangi and Joseph Openda