A hopeful Christmas for Chosen Generation Church, five months after police raid

On the afternoon of July 18, a distressing incident unfolded at Chosen Generation Church along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru.

Amid ongoing anti-government protests, police raided the church, chasing a group of youths inside. Officers fired live bullets and ordered those present to lie on the ground.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Rev Patricia Benson shared that this traumatic event led the church to reconsider how it conducts its services to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

To enhance security, Rev Patricia explained that the church kept its doors closed during services, which, unfortunately, resulted in a decline in attendance for the lunch hour prayer service, held from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm on protest days.

However, a silver lining emerged during the protests when many young people began gathering at the church for refuge.

By opening its doors to the youth, the church provided a much-needed safe space.

“Allowing young people to gather here has given them a sanctuary, and we’ve seen a significant increase in their participation in our services,” Rev Patricia notes.

The influx of young people has also empowered them to become more outspoken about issues affecting them—socially, spiritually, and politically.

For the festive season, Rev Patricia called for a spirit of sobriety and caution, especially for those traveling.

“Let’s take care of one another, enjoy the holidays, and enter the new year in good health,” she urged.

“Though this year has brought its challenges, we are grateful for the strength we’ve shown. As we look to 2025, we are confident that we will be even better than before,” she says.