KENYA
SDE – The Standard
January 5, 2020
By Mercy Adhiambo
In the last decade, a new wave of evangelism swept the country.
Self-proclaimed prophets sprouted in different parts and they all had one message: “God had sent them to relieve many people from the suffering …”
We examine some of the scandals that rocked the church:
Kanyari and his fake miracles
From the moment he first appeared on TV, his message was consistent. God was a loving and forgiving being who could heal all diseases and transgressions.
All God needed, Kanyari said, was tithes. “Send Sh310 to my number and get your blessings”. It was dance and jubilation, always live on TV, until an investigation led to the truth.
Everything was scripted, including the miracles. He has since rebranded and now calls himself Pastor Mwangi. He still seeks for donations to pray for believers.
Leadership wrangles in churches
It has been a season of blows, abuses, locked churches, splinter groups and boycotts, all in the name of fighting for leadership.
The Nairobi Central branch of the SDA church dominated news last year. But before that, African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) had fought for decades forcing President Uhuru Kenyatta to broker peace.
At Got Kweru in Migori where the remains of the founder of the Legio Maria church Simeon Ondetto lies, many endless leadership battles have been fought.
Pastor Ng’ang’a and his vile mouth
Pastor Ng’ang’a of the Neno Evangelist church, has transitioned from the young man whose opening line was the Sindano song about the metaphorical “injection” that Jesus gave him and taken a path where he liberally abuses his followers, threatens his bishops, excommunicates those who disagree with him, and goes on social media to spew abuses.
“I am two in one. Ng’ang’a the man, and Ng’ang’a the spirit,” has been his style of explaining his ways.
Sex and the church
Catholic priests have made headlines for going against the celibacy oath.
Pope Francis’s recent lifting of pontifical secret rule where victims of sexual abuse and the priests who were involved were kept under lock was received positively.
There have also been many cases of defilement in other churches, including the recent case where a pastor in Kitui allegedly impregnated more than 20 girls.
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