Christ is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) Valley Road Church is under scrutiny after claims that it denied shelter to protesters who were stranded in Nairobi’s Central Business District on the evening of Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
According to some social media users, there was a heavy police presence around the Nairobi CBD that evening.
Protesters alleged they were being harassed by police, while other reports indicated that people were also being mugged as they tried to get home. Some sought refuge in nearby churches for safety.
“Dear comrades, stay safe! Vacate the CBD. Head over to CITAM Valley Road and get a space to lay your head. The CBD is not safe with goons and red berets out to obey the shoot-to-kill order,” wrote a user named E Daily Nation.
CITAM Under Fire for Allegedly Locking Out Protesters
However, other social media accounts claimed that they were denied entry to CITAM Valley Road when they tried to seek shelter.
Earlier that evening, some posts suggested that the church would offer shelter to stranded protesters, an arrangement that was also being extended by other churches such as All Saints Cathedral.
“Kindly, if you are stranded, CITAM Valley Road and All Saints Cathedral are offering accommodation. To those who have means of getting home, stay safe,” one user named Brandeezzy posted.
Later on, however, a social media user named Shoba Gatimu alleged that the church changed its position.
“The CITAM option for accommodation for our fellow comrades is off. It’s hard being a Kenyan in this country. It’s not just the government; even religious institutions. We are literally on our own. This is heartbreaking,” Gatimu wrote.
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The reports of protestors being allegedly locked out have elicited mixed reactions online.
Social media influencer Osama Otero commented, “CITAM disappointed us yesterday.”
Another user, Josh, wrote: “So CITAM gave the go-ahead and then rejected people who needed a place to sleep at the last minute? We are taking note. As someone here said, ‘I will tell my children it’s safer to go to a mosque than a church when in need.’”
About the Church
However, other accounts contradicted the claims, insisting that the church had welcomed people seeking refuge.
George Miruka posted: “Stop this! We were invited to CITAM Valley Road and told to stay in the halls to avoid confrontation with the police and teargas until it was safe to leave. The same happened at All Saints and other churches. This agenda against CITAM must stop!”
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CITAM was yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
CITAM Valley Road, also known as Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) Valley Road, is one of the assemblies of Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) in Kenya. Located at 28 Valley Road, it holds regular worship services and runs ministries for different age groups and communities.
Its Presiding Bishop is Calisto Odede, who took over from Dr. David Oginde.
After retiring, Oginde was appointed as chairman of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission – EACC.
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