Some 38 people were arrested at Jesus Ministry Church in the Roysambu area as calls to occupy it gained momentum amid heavy police presence on Sunday.
They were taken to Kasarani police station for grilling, police said.
This came as Bishop Edward Mwai of the Jesus Winner Ministry church in Nairobi’s Roysambu area claimed that unnamed people he knows mobilised “thugs” to demonstrate at the house of prayer on Sunday.
He made the remarks as dozens of police were deployed to the church for protection from a group that planned a protest there.
More than a dozen youths were detained and roughed up in the church.
Some were beaten by police for planning chaos, even as Mwai said he had ordered their release.
The protest, organised online under the #OccupyJesusWinner hashtag, came after President William Ruto’s March 2 visit to the church, where he promised a Sh20 million donation and a further Sh100 million for an upcoming fundraiser.
Addressing faithful at the church, Mwai, without naming names, said he knew those behind the planned protest and accused them of “using our children”.
“People I know very well used them and even sent some here today. Someday, they will know there is God’s presence at this altar. May God forgive our children who are being used in such a manner,” he said.
“Some of those are thugs wearing Jesus Winner badges here. Please do not touch them, we are a peaceful church.”
He told his followers he had forgiven those who had insulted him following the donation pledge, saying, “I forgive all those who have insulted me and called me names and leave it to God may he forgive them.”
