A district commissioner has banned the holding of prayer meetings at night and promised to use "maximum force" against those who defy the order.

Announcing the ban, Mombasa District Commissioner Reuben Rotich yesterday said licences for prayer meetings would be valid up to 4 pm.

He accused some religious organisations of abusing their licences and freedom of worship by making noise for others throughout the night.

Mr Rotich was addressing guests during the Mombasa district prize-giving day at Tononoka grounds, attended by, among others, Cabinet Minister Shariff Nassir. "Anyone who respects his religion and God should not make noise and disturb people who want to sleep or students who want to study," he said.

Students in most estates, he said, were unable to do their home work in peace because of the cacophony of night preachers.

"From today, I am not going to allow any denomination to use the name of religion to make unnecessary noise," he said.

Mr Rotich revealed that a certain Christian Ministry had threatened to disrupt the prize giving occasion after it was told to stop preaching at Tononoka grounds. However, no attempt was made to interfere with meeting.