NAIROBI, APRIL 4, 2023 (CISA)-Religious leaders have condemned the conduct of the police who raided the home of Bishop Prof David Hellington Kodia of the Anglican Diocese of Bondo and the Chairperson of National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Nyanza region.
According to a statement by religious leaders drawn from different religious denominations, the police entered the home of the vocal bishop on the morning of April 4 without a search or arrest warrant.
“We are deeply concerned that this morning some police officers invaded the home of Bishop Prof David Kodia, the Chairman of NCCK in Nyanza Region, without a search or arrest warrant. We believe that the police were seeking to arrest him because of his vocal statements on matters of social justice,” said the religious leaders.
According to local media reports, police officers in three vehicles stormed the home of the bishop located at Migosi estate in Kisumu County, demanding to know his whereabouts. However, the bishop was away during the incident and the police hurriedly left upon the arrival of other church members and journalists.
According to Bishop Kodia, the police officers who were sent to his house, upon interrogation by his family members claimed they were sent by a person known as Farouk.
“I have never received any court order that allows police to come to my place. I am not a criminal that can be arrested without a court order,” lamented the bishop.
Moreover, the religious while deliberating the on the state of the nation at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, acknowledged having received the news of the raid at the residence of the bishop.
“We call on the president to assure Kenyans of the protection and freedom of all people, including religious leaders who speak out for the people,” appealed the leaders in a joint statement signed by representatives of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
The religious leaders in Kenya have joined a list of institutions that have petitioned the government to protect the freedom of expression and safeguard the gains the country has made since independence.
