MH Reporter
It’s a known story in this lakeside village in Migori County – but nobody actually talks about it. It’s probably because the self-proclaimed ‘Bishop’ has since died.
According to one of his former disciples, the ‘Pastor’ would sleep with prostitutes in a small shopping center – claiming God had sent him to ‘serve the girl’.
The man who died while in his late 40s had spent many years in Malindi County before relocating to his hometown village in mid 1990s.
“The man opened a small church in the village, in his house, and started recruiting followers, most of them villagers,” said one of his earlier followers who only identified himself as John.
Saw a vision
“He often claimed that he had seen God in a vision while in Malindi, and that God had sent him to liberate his people. His teachings saw him cut links with his family and clan,” said John.
“The villagers nicknamed him ‘Bishop’, and often joked about his alleged vision about his Worldwide Ministry which never took root,” said the former follower.
“I left this church after I learned that he would sleep with prostitutes, and would use the bible to defend his actions,” said the source.
“I completely avoided people, even members of my own family. I was entrenched into this endless fear of sorcery. I was always afraid of greeting people fearing that they would use charms on me.”
Interpret dreams
The man, who was quite knowledgeable in matters bible especially having started as a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) – had a very deep understanding of the bible.
“Many times we would go to him to interpret our dreams. He would interpret anything, even a harmless advert on a drink had a meaning,” said John.
The revelation only lays bare a huge societal problem facing Kenya – a country that is composed mostly of Christians.
John who is just now trying to integrate back into the society after his pastor friend died a few years ago, comes at a time when the country is trying to come to terms with the
Shakahola Church massacre that has since seen over 200 bodies exhumed from mass graves.
Which God?
“Many people have abandoned Christianity and are busy doing their own things, thinking that they are serving God,” said John who says it’s a highly psychological and spiritual warfare.
“My pastor would hit on women in my presence, sleep with them, and proceed to defend his actions using the bible,” says John.
John says he started having doubts after the pastor’s prophecies failed to come true.
“He spoke about opening a mega church, and promised me the position of a deacon. He spoke about cars and choppers coming to his home; our church to seek salvation and healing. It never happened.
Buried like a dog
The preacher died a miserable man, and was buried in an unmarked grave.
His kith and kin buried him like a dog – says John who was his disciple for 10 years.
John dropped out of school in Form Two in the 90s to follow his Bishop friend.
“I regret dropping out of school, and being so blinded,” he says.