How poverty is fueling cults; what you need to know

I recall one of my high school teachers proclaiming that a country’s poverty levels could be gauged by the abundance of churches in a given area. Recent months have unraveled a series of dramatic events within the religious sector.

Whether we anticipated these events or not remains an unanswered question for many Kenyans. The looming question of whether we will triumph over the menace of cults necessitates our vigilance as we contemplate life-altering decisions.

The turmoil within the church began with the discovery of bodies in the Shakahola forest, attributed to Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church. These deceased individuals were believed to be followers who had been led astray by false doctrines. The revelation of these bodies shifted our focus dramatically, turning the forest into a crime scene almost overnight.

Before long, other esteemed church leaders found themselves embroiled in the controversy. Pastor Ezekiel, suspected of having ties to Paul Mackenzie, faced arrest and detention, accompanied by a temporary shutdown of his television channel to facilitate investigations. This wasn’t the end of it. A few days ago, a viral video depicted a seriously ill woman seeking solace at her pastor’s house rather than a hospital. By the time the video surfaced, her condition had worsened, and medical attention was clearly imperative. These incidents are just a few that have managed to capture public attention.

Amidst challenging economic times and the imposition of new taxes by the new administration, a significant portion of Kenyans find themselves cornered. Struggling mentally and yearning for an escape from their nightmares, they turn to religion for solace and the promise of brighter days. Kenya, with over 80 per cent of its citizens identifying as Christians and more than 4000 registered churches, is a fertile ground for spiritual movements. Moreover, countless unregistered churches, taking advantage of loose regulations prey upon the desperation of Kenyans.

The average Kenyan without the luxury of paid channels resorts to free-to-air channels, which predominantly air church teachings. These strategically crafted sermons preach messages like “the more you give, the more you’ll receive” and “the Lord loves a cheerful giver,” coupled with biblical quotations emphasizing the importance of giving. Testimonials further perpetuate the notion that selfless giving yields prosperity. Vulnerable Kenyans fall prey to this narrative, worsening their situations by giving away their meager resources.

The alarming notion that Kenyans have been indoctrinated into believing that attending a church service and receiving prayers will lead to instant wealth underscores their desperation. This brainwashing reflects the depth of their distress and explains the country’s developmental lag. If people can’t even meet their daily sustenance needs, how can the nation generate the necessary taxes for growth?

Government intervention is essential to safeguard the freedom of worship granted in Article 32 of the constitution. Clear guidelines should dictate the process of opening and operating a church, including renewal time limits for licenses to ensure ongoing scrutiny. Yet, this endeavor requires collective effort. Prospective churchgoers must conduct background research: when was the church founded, who founded it, what are its doctrines, how many branches does it have, and who do they know that attends there? Such questions help evaluate a church’s credibility at an individual level, while the government oversees registered churches.

Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) also wields a lot of power – issuing licenses for channels to broadcast. Rigorous vetting is necessary to prevent misleading content from reaching our people. It is imperative that we halt this religious manipulation.