Police arrest eight ‘Muslim preachers’

By Osinde Obare

Kitale, Kenya: Eight Muslim preachers have been arrested in Kitale for what police termed as “sinister” preaching.

Trans-Nzoia County Commander Lillian Okembo said the preachers were seized after the public raised concern over their conduct. Okembo said the preachers had visited several families living in slum areas within Kitale town trying to convince the residents to join their religion.

“The public became suspicious when these preachers knocked on their doors and tried to lure them to join their religion. We arrested them after received information from the residents of Kipsongo slums,” said Okembo.

She said the preachers drawn from Bungoma, Kisumu and Kisii counties had not informed the police of their presence and activities.The preachers were however released after police summoned the local leader of the Muslim community, Imam Haji Halimu to identify them.

 Unauthorised crusades

“We were not informed of their mission in the county and these preachers don’t understand what the law requires of them to be allowed to engage in such activities,” said county commander.

 She said the preachers are expected to preach in mosques and not visit homes to lure people to join the religion. Okembo at the same time has banned unauthorised crusades in the county.

She ordered those intending to hold such events to notify the police and ensure they secure permits from NEMA.

Also, security agencies in Trans-Nzoia County embarked on a swoop of illegal aliens in the area.

Okembo said 45 aliens have so far been arrested in the crackdown.