Chaos at Jesus Winner Chapel as Police Clash with Protesters

Tension erupted in Roysambu as police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd attempting to occupy Jesus Winner Chapel in protest of a controversial donation.

The demonstration, driven by the #OccupyJesusWinner movement, saw a heavy police presence, including plainclothes officers who stormed the church earlier, detaining several congregants before the service resumed under tight security.

Bishop Edward Mwai, addressing the congregation, condemned the protests, stating that certain individuals had mobilized youth to disrupt church activities.

Despite criticism, he maintained that he had forgiven those opposing the donation, while police remained stationed at the premises to prevent further unrest.

Inside the church, empty seats and undercover officers were a dominant sight, reflecting the tension of the day.

Some congregants questioned the heavy security, asking why access to a place of worship was being restricted.

Online, reactions were mixed. Some supported the protesters, arguing that public funds should not be donated to religious institutions while many Kenyans struggle with unemployment and poverty.

Check out some of the scenes from the protests.

Others defended the church, stating the importance of respecting places of worship.

Notable Reactions:

• "Jesus protects... what do they believe in? Police or God?" – @KarentheNrse
• "It’s getting messy every day." – @hezken
• "Respect for the church is important." – @blockxs
• "Big up to the young people! Even if they didn’t occupy it, they disrupted business as usual." – @ParkusaaJ
• "We should plan a serious one and recreate June 25th, this time at State House." – @mugai_vi
• "Jesus Winner Church must return the 20M! It should be used to build classrooms for children learning under trees." – @Disfruto_Amor

The situation escalated when police in civilian clothing reportedly attacked some protesters inside the church, further fueling tensions.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto responded to the controversy, stating, "Satan has become very arrogant in Kenya. We are going to build God's Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail."

Despite the unrest, Bishop Mwai later announced that he had forgiven those who trolled him online and had ordered the release of those arrested outside the church.

However, major roads around Roysambu remained a no-go zone as anger over the issue continued to rise.

#OccupyJesusWinner remains a trending topic as Kenyans debate the intersection of politics, religion, and accountability in public spending.