Twelve people were on Sunday evening arrested at Shamata Village in Nyandarua County after they were found worshiping in a cave.

This follows the government's directive to ban church functions in an effort to fight the spread of coronavirus disease.

Among them were nine adults and three children all members of the Akorino church.

According to Kirima Location Chief Daniel Wainana, the incident followed a tip from members of the public that church members had been congregating in a cave near the Aberdare forest to worship.

He said that police laid ambush and found the twelve holding prayers.

"We got a tip-off from members of the public that they had spotted them going towards the cave and that was when we took action. We found them deep in prayers and arrested them" he said.

Wainana noted that the cave was well prepared with grass laid on the ground.

"It looked like this is where they have been meeting. The government will immediately destroy it" he noted.

The chief said that the suspects were being held at Shamata Police post.

He maintained that they will be charged in a court of law for disobeying the orders on social distance.