For the last two years, the Witnesses’ houses of worship have remained closed globally due to the pandemic and the risks associated with meeting in person. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kenya also suspended their public ministry in March 2020.
Since then, the faithful had been carrying on their ministry through letters and phone calls while holding twice-weekly meetings in a virtual format.
The news of resuming in-house gatherings has excited Witnesses in Kenya who cannot wait to be reunited physically with their fellow worshippers.
“I have been attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the last 29 years,” states Bernard Owuor from a congregation that meets in Kikuyu town. “The association from the friends gives me a boost to move on. I liken going back to in-person meetings to eating my favorite food after having missed it for a long time.”
Noah Munyao, the spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kenya, pointed out: “We have enjoyed having so many from our local communities join our virtual meetings, in search of comfort and hope… We look forward to meeting in person all whom we have only met on-screen during our virtual meetings.”
Munyao added: “While we have prospered in many ways as individuals and congregations using technology to bring us together, nothing can adequately replace being together in person. We have longed for this moment for the better part of two years.”
According to Munyao, to ensure the safety of all who attend, guidelines for holding “hybrid” meetings have been sent to all congregations in Kenya.
Over the past six months, many Kingdom Halls have been equipped with the required technology to hold a productive meeting that allows for in-person and remote attendees, all of whom can participate in the discussions.
A pilot program was held in October and November in countries around the world to assess how this could be done most effectively.
Munyao says as of now, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no plans to resume their public ministry, though their “alternative” ministry continues.
