Kenyan pastor and his congregates have found themselves on the headlines after a video of them throwing up newly born infant in prayers surfaced online.
This strong ritual is shared by the African Traditional Church members called Rabbi, a newly born infant is tossed up in the sky by women followed by men as they lift the infant up in songs and prayers as an introduction to the world.
According to Pastor George Omondi Andeko, the vigorous ritual, which is done to a first male child is meant to cast out fear as they grows up.
“Bibilia inasema mtoto wa kwanza wa kiume anapo zaliwa, na lazima na ni vizuri tuweze kumkabidi mikononi mwabwana kwa kumfanyia maombio,”he revealed.
Pastor Omondi went on to say that once a child is born, he/she is not allowed to get outside until 33 days, the mother of the baby is also isolated.
It’s also forbidden for husband and wife to sleep in the same room.
“Mtoto akizaliwa haruhusiwi kutoka nje na baada ya 33 days tunakuja kumchukua ili kumpeleka ekaluni kufanyiwa maombi maalum kwa ivyo tukifika bale kuna maambi rasmi anafanyiwa ili aweze kufika ekaluni,”he said.
Once in the church, the infant is held upside down and handed to the pastor to continue with the prayers.
However, this vigorous ritual has caused stirred with netizens condemning the barbaric practice while others calling for the closure of the church.
Here are some comments from irate netizens.
Watch the video below
https://www.facebook.com/NTVKenya/videos/215704162901160/
Video courtesy/NTV