By Lydia Ngoolo
Kitui County, Kenya: Kavonokya sect members in Kenya continue to wear masks in the fight against COVID-19 despite their belief of not believing in treatment.
The sect, commonly found in Kitui, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka, has been known for its strict belief that there is no power of healing in medicine but only prayers can heal.
It’s a religion which calls everything that does not suit their faith ‘ngoma’ meaning demon and they make a short prayer openly to cast out the demon once provoked by non-believers.
Over time, they have resisted measles, polio vaccines as well as tuberculosis. Many of them don’t vote to give a reason for creating hatred and discrimination among the contesters which goes against bible teachings on love for all. Some resisted the headcount during the last census calling for police to intervene.
When Coronavirus hit the country, they left many with mouths wide open, when they bowed down and adhered to government measures on protection against Corona.
One of the members Mwikali Komu said since the onset of the corona, things have not been the same for all churches(Syikalo as they refer to the church in Kikamba) were ordered closed by the president and they had to obey.
“Our God can’t fit in a four-wall constructed house in the name of the church that’s why we worship under a tree and refer to it as kikalo or syikalo if many,” she adds.
She said even if corona was to spread in churches then they were ready for that since that’s a place of worship. They knew they will be arrested since they are always targeted in such matters by the police.
“If people think that we are using a mask to prevent corona then they are sick. We are just fearing police brutality which other Kenyans have faced. We fear being arrested as well and that’s why we just found it better to use the masks, and close our church,” she added.
Komu said they can wash their hands with soap but not use sanitizer. To her, sanitizer is like any other drug and their faith doesn’t allow them to touch or use drugs. She says Mwathani(as they refer to God) has the power to prevent and heal all diseases so they have no reason to fear any disease.
She shows the type of mask they are using by wearing it and giving it a closer look, it’s a flowered hand-sewn nylon material.
She laughed and said, “See, it’s nylon which can’t even hold a drop of sweat, we use any other material provided it’s not medicated mask. We only want to stay safe from police and not corona since God will fight for us if not, then if any of us is infected and dies, we will just believe God needed him or her in heaven.”
Yet another member Maithya Mwanzia observed that members of Kavonokya are using masks not to prevent corona but for fear of the police, nothing else. He said they can do a handshake and pray if any of their members are infected and God will heal the member.
On church reopening, he said even after the president announced the reopening of churches with time limits and a limited number of people, they are still waiting for God to give them directions on opening.
“We had a premonition of this disease the problem is that we can’t tell how long it will take. We believe in the same God that he will reveal it to us. Meanwhile, we are waiting for his voice to communicate to us on the way forward,” he added.
Nicholas Munyoki area chief Kanzui of Mwingi central which is one of the areas with the big number of the sect said he is at peace since this time around the sect did not disturb them. He said the other times they face it rough during vaccinations as many escape with their children to avoid vaccines forcing police to take action.
“They are good and we have not made any arrest of their members. They are using the masks and observing other measures,” said Munyoki.
