Reverend Lucy Natasha Photo Courtesy Famous city preacher Reverend Lucy Natasha has officially announced the temporary closure of the Nairobi physical location of Empowerment Christian Church, which had been operating from the rooftop of Biashara Plaza in the Central Business District.
In a statement shared with congregants and followers, the church confirmed that all physical services at the Biashara Plaza Rooftop were suspended starting January 11, with all services moved online.
According to the church’s leadership, was prompted by challenges in securing a suitable and sustainable venue within Nairobi.
The church further clarified that the closure is temporary and will remain in place until further notice as efforts continue to identify a more permanent and convenient worship space for members.
This announcement marked the end of an era for the popular rooftop church, which had become a familiar place of worship for many believers in the city.
Empowerment Christian Church rose to prominence in Nairobi for its vibrant services, strong online presence, and youthful congregation.
Under Reverend Lucy Natasha’s leadership, the ministry attracted thousands of followers both physically and digitally, making it one of the most talked-about churches in the capital in recent years.
However, decision to shut down the physical location has sparked mixed reactions online. Soon after the announcement, social media platforms were flooded with comments from both supporters and critics.
While some faithful defended the move as a practical decision driven by logistical challenges, others questioned whether financial constraints played a role in the closure.
A section of netizens went as far as suggesting that the preacher may have failed to convince congregants to “plant enough seeds” to sustain church operations. These claims, however, remain speculative and have not been supported by any official statement from the church.
Despite the online chatter, Reverend Lucy Natasha has chosen not to directly address the rumours. Instead, she has remained focused on transitioning the ministry fully online, assuring followers that church activities, sermons, and prayers will continue uninterrupted through digital platforms.
In recent services streamed online, the preacher emphasized that the church is not defined by a building but by the people and the message being shared. She encouraged congregants to remain united, faithful, and supportive as the ministry navigates what she described as a temporary season of transition.
The situation has also reignited a broader conversation about the rising cost of operating churches in Nairobi, especially within the CBD. High rent, strict building regulations, and limited availability of large worship spaces have forced several ministries to either relocate to the outskirts of the city or shift towards online services.
Biashara Plaza, where Empowerment Christian Church previously held services, is located in a prime business area, making rental costs significantly high. Sources familiar with CBD commercial spaces note that maintaining such venues has become increasingly difficult for religious organizations that rely solely on offerings and donations.
Even so, supporters of Reverend Lucy Natasha argue that the preacher has successfully built a strong digital ministry that reaches believers beyond Nairobi and even outside Kenya. They believe the temporary closure may eventually lead to a better, more accessible physical location once a suitable space is secured.
As things stand, Empowerment Christian Church continues to operate through live-streamed services, online prayers, and social media engagement. The leadership maintains that updates regarding a new physical venue will be communicated in due course.
Whether the church will return to the CBD or relocate elsewhere remains to be seen as less information was shared about the same. For now, Reverend Lucy Natasha appears determined to keep the ministry active online, focusing on preaching the word of God and maintaining connection with her followers despite the challenges.
