In an era increasingly defined by "cancellation" culture, public institutions, particularly those built on tenets of faith and compassion, face intense scrutiny during times of crisis. The recent June 25 "maandamano" protests in Kenya, which left many individuals stranded in the capital's central business district, sparked a fresh wave of public outcry against one of the nation's leading evangelical churches: Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM). Allegations quickly spread across social media platforms, primarily X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the church had denied refuge to protestors seeking shelter, prompting swift and widespread condemnation.
The circulating claims painted a stark picture: with the city gridlocked and curfews looming, many demonstrators found themselves with nowhere to go. Word quickly spread that some had approached CITAM's prominent Valley Road assembly, only to be reportedly turned away by security personnel, finding the doors locked against them. This perceived act of rejection ignited a furious backlash from the public, who expressed profound disappointment and anger, arguing that a "church" should inherently stand by and offer succor to the people, especially in times of distress and vulnerability. The outrage was amplified by the context of the protests themselves, held in solemn memory of those who tragically lost their lives during last year’s demonstrations against the 2024 Finance Bill.
However, in a move to decisively counter these damaging claims, Christ Is the Answer Ministries has firmly denied the allegations. In a press statement released on Thursday, CITAM directly addressed the controversy, providing its official stance. The statement, signed by CITAM Deputy Bishop Rev Justus Mugambi, reiterated the ministry's unwavering commitment to foundational principles of justice, human dignity, and good governance. "We firmly uphold the sanctity of life and categorically oppose all forms of violence, including the shedding of innocent blood, extra-judicial killings, rape, corruption, poor governance, and other social evils," the statement read, aligning the church's values with the pursuit of justice and peace.
Crucially, Rev Mugambi directly refuted the claims of turning away individuals. “Based on our security records and a thorough review of CCTV footage, there is no evidence that any person approached the premises seeking refuge on the said date. Therefore, no individual was denied entry," he stated unequivocally. This reliance on verifiable security logs and surveillance footage provides a concrete defense against the viral social media narrative, attempting to ground their denial in factual evidence.
The swiftness and severity with which these allegations spread underscore the volatile nature of information in the digital age, particularly during periods of intense social and political unrest. Public expectations of religious institutions, often seen as pillars of community support and moral guidance, are incredibly high. Accusations of failing to provide sanctuary, especially during protests that commemorate loss of life, can severely tarnish a reputation built over decades.
CITAM's firm denial, backed by an appeal to internal records, attempts to restore public trust and clarify its position. This incident serves as a powerful reminder for all institutions of the critical importance of transparent communication and robust internal verification processes in the face of rapidly spreading, unverified information on social media.
