Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) Valley Road is under fire from the public after claims surfaced that church officials turned away peaceful protesters who were seeking refuge during the June 25th demonstrations.
Protests Marked Anniversary of 2024 Uprising
The protests, held on June 25, marked one year since thousands of mostly Gen-Z demonstrators stormed the streets to oppose tax hikes in 2024.
This year’s protest turned deadly once again. According to Amnesty Kenya, at least 16 people lost their lives during the chaos.
As the demonstrations escalated and police responded with teargas, live bullets, and brutal force, messages began circulating on social media.
The public urged stranded protesters to take shelter at CITAM Valley Road, a well-known church located in Nairobi’s city center.
A Church seen as a Safe Haven
CITAM Valley Road is known for its spacious compound and central location, making it a natural choice for those trying to escape the violence.
Many people expected the church to offer safety and compassion — especially during a time of fear and panic.
However, things took a different turn.
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Claims of Protesters being turned away
Later in the day, conflicting reports emerged, with several young protesters claiming they had rushed to the church gates only to be denied entry. Social media erupted with disappointment, disbelief, and anger.
“They locked the gates on us,” one user posted on X. “They saw people running for their lives and still turned them away.”
Another X user slammed the church, writing:
“What CITAM Valley Road did is very uncouth. Why turn away people you pray for? You’ve just made Kenyans believe that Cash Is The Answer Ministry is your real name — no humanity at all.”
Senator Omtatah Joins the Public in Condemning CITAM
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah also voiced his frustration, agreeing with the growing chorus of criticism online.
Many Kenyans feel that CITAM failed to uphold the core values of Christianity — compassion, refuge, and love — especially during a moment when people needed the church most.
Church silent as criticism mounts
As of now, CITAM has not issued an official response to the allegations. But the backlash continues to spread across social media platforms, with users calling out the church for abandoning its moral and humanitarian duty during a national crisis.
Some say the incident has shaken their trust in religious institutions, particularly those that preach love and protection but fail to practice it when it matters most.
Final thoughts
In moments of national tragedy or crisis, people often look and run to places of worship for comfort and safety.
This incident has raised serious questions about the role of the church in times of social unrest. Many are now urging CITAM to come forward, clarify what happened, and — if necessary — apologize to those who were turned away.
Until then, the silence may continue to speak louder than words.
