Somber Easter for Christians in East Africa amid virus

NAIROBI, Kenya

With Kenyans focusing on battling the new coronavirus, Christians in the East African nations have braced themselves to have a virtual uneventful Easter in lockdown.

A spot-check conducted by Anadolu Agency at various churches in the capital Nairobi showed that most church gates remained closed to the public with various notices urging worshippers to stay home.

At the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) located in Bahati estate in Nairobi, only a single person was being allowed in church with 500 people-capacity at a time.

Thomas Ouma was among less than 30 worshippers outside the church waiting for his turn to worship while observing the one-meter social distancing.

On a regular Easter, they would celebrate every single day and spend nights in the church worshipping.

"The church is only allowing one person at a time, no pastor, no ushers, no one is in the church."

“We are not only to pray for Easter but praying that God can lift us from this pandemic to allow us to worship and do our businesses.”

Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta said in an Easter message of goodwill that the circumstances under which Kenya is right now due to COVID-19 in this year’s Easter holiday are unusual.

“We must come together by staying apart and breaking the chain of infection, reflect on the resurrection story and remember that all things, even suffering, come to an end through unity and faith.”

The situation was the same across Uganda. Anglican Bishop Samuel Stephen Kazimba urged his followers to celebrate and pray at home.

“We have never had an Easter like this where we cannot gather together to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death.”

He called on Ugandans to listen to church session on radio and TV.

In Malawi, Henry Saindi, the secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi churches, announced there will be no washing of feet on Thursday and no mass and vigils on the other days of Easter this year.

The pandemic dimmed the Easter celebrations in Tanzania and Rwanda, as well.