Recently, worshippers of St Francis Catholic Church in Diani town got the shock of their lives when some of them were turned away at the gate for indecent dressing. Dressed in a black sleeveless dress, a tiny yellow belt and high heels, Julia Baraza, a regular worshipper, in her mid-20s was surprised by the new rule in church that saw her miss the 8.30 mass. “Two people, a woman and a man told me that my type of clothes were banned from church and I should change into a proper attire,” Baraza wrote on her Facebook page. Baraza expressed displeasure at the manner in which she was turned away. She wondered what could have happened had she donned a mini skirt or a spaghetti top as is the norm in the coastaltown.
“My dress was not revealing. Others who had trousers were told to tie lessos. If churches treat people this way, we will shy away from church,” she lamented. I am surprised I was not turned away at Likoni Church. I think I will start going there,” she told The Nairobian. Some worshippers claim the priest identified only as Joseph had announced in the previous church service that indecent dressing would not be tolerated. Speaking to The Nairobian, the newly posted priest declined to reveal any information regarding the announcement. He denied any knowledge of the alleged announcement. “You say you are from the media? Is it me who made that announcement,” he said.
