The Civic and Public Roles of Neo-Pentecostal Churches in Kenya
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i THE CIVIC AND PUBLIC ROLES OF NEO-PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IN KENYA (1970- 2010) BY DAMARIS SELEINA PARSITAU Registration No C82/10697/2007 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OCTOBER, 2014 ii DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University or any other award. All sources have been acknowledged and cited in full ………………………………….. DAMARIS SELEINA PARSITAU Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies Kenyatta University Signature.............................. Date...................... This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors Prof. Philomena Njeri Mwaura Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies Kenyatta University Signature.............................. Date...................... Dr Zacharia W. Samita Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies Kenyatta University Signature.............................. Date..................... iii DEDICATION To my late, mother Margaret Ntari Parsitau for inspiring me to be my best and for her love and support throughout my academic journey. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to acknowledge all those who made this study possible. First, I acknowledge the intellectual support of my supervisors Prof. Philomena Njeri Mwaura and Dr. Zacharia Wanakacha Samita of Kenyatta University. Secondly, I would like to thank the University of Edinburgh (Centre for African Studies-CAS) for offering me three months Visiting Research Fellowship in which I carried out extensive research and literature review for the study. I am equally grateful to the University of Cambridge (CAS) that awarded me a six months Visiting Research Fellowship. My six months residency at Wolfson College exposed me to innovative research in my area of expertise. Thirdly, special thanks to my mentors: Prof Afe Adogame of University of Edinburgh, UK and Prof Elias Bongmba of Rice University, USA for offering new perspectives on this study. Special thanks also go to my friends Ishola Williams, PAC Kapsoot, J.O ole Seriani for their moral support. Fourthly, leaders and members of JIAM, MMC and FEM who generously gave up time to fill out questionnaires and grant me interviews during fieldwork brought this study to life. Thank you all. Lastly but not least, am profoundly grateful to my children Grace Naiserian and John-Osteen Lemayian for their love and patience throughout this long journey. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. DEDICATION ...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................Error! Bookmark not defined. TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........................................Error! Bookmark not defined. LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... xi LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................ xii DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMS...…………...…xiii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................Error! Bookmark not defined. ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... xxiii CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................... 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study .......................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem........................................................................ 28 1.3 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................... 28 1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................. 29 1.5 Research Premises .................................................................................. 29 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study ............................................ 30 1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study ......................................................... 31 REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........ 32 1.8.1 Introduction.......................................................................................... 32 1.8.2 An Overview of Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements ..... 32 vi 1.8.3 Literature Review on African and Kenyan Pentecostalism ................. 35 1.8.4 Literature Review on Pentecostalism in Civic and Public Life ......... 44 1.8.5 Literature on Neo-Pentecostal Theologies of Public Engagement ..... 58 1.8.6 Pentecostalism, Media and Public Life .............................................. 61 1. 9 Pentecostalism, Gender and Civic and Public Life ............................... 62 1.9.1 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework .................................................... 67 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 72 1.10 Research Design .................................................................................. 72 1.10.1 Study Area ......................................................................................... 74 1.10.2 Population of the Study ..................................................................... 75 1.10.3 Sample and Sampling Procedure ....................................................... 76 1.10.4 Methods of Data Collection ............................................................... 76 1.10.5 Secondary Sources and Desktop/Research ....................................... 76 1.10.5.1 Primary Sources ............................................................................. 77 1.10.6 Research Instruments and Tools ........................................................ 79 1.10.7 Data Analysis ..................................................................................... 85 1.10.8 Problems Encountered during the Research ...................................... 85 1.10.9 Ethical Considerations ....................................................................... 85 CHAPTER TWO: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS ..................... 88 THE HISTORY OF KENYAN NEO-PENTECOSTALISM ........................... 88 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................. 88 2.2 The Kenyan Religious Demography ...................................................... 88 2.3 Diversity of African (Kenyan) Christianity ............................................ 89 2.4 Historical Overview: Origins of Kenyan Pentecostalism ..................... 92 2.5 The Impact of Pentecostal Christianity on the Kenyan Society ........... 112 2.6 The Rise to Civic and Public Prominence ............................................ 113 vii 2.7 Summary .............................................................................................. 115 CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................ 117 THE HISTORIES OF JIAM, MMC AND FEM ............................................. 117 3.0 Introduction........................................................................................... 117 3.1 Bishop Margaret Wanjiru ..................................................................... 117 3.2 The Early Life of Margaret Wanjiru ..................................................... 119 3.2.1 Involvement in Witchcraft and Subsequent Deliverance .................. 122 3.2.2 Her Spiritual Journey to Salvation ..................................................... 125 3. 2. 3 Vision and Mission of JIAM ........................................................... 127 3. 2. 4 JIAM International .......................................................................... 129 3. 2. 5 Wanjiru the Televangelist ................................................................ 130 3.2.6 Bishop Wanjiru and Public Life ........................................................ 131 3.3. Bishop Pius and Lucy Muiru ............................................................... 132 3.3.1 Pius Muiru’s Early Life ..................................................................... 132 3.3.2 Muiru’s Spiritual Journey .................................................................. 133 3.3.3 The Rev Lucy Muiru ......................................................................... 135 3.3.4 MMC International ............................................................................ 136 3.3.5 Bishop Muiru the Televangelist ........................................................ 136 3.3.6 Muiru’s Political life .......................................................................... 137 3.4 Faith Evangelistic Ministries (FEM) .................................................... 138 3.4.1.The Early Life of Teresia Wairimu Winjanjui .................................. 138 3.4.2 Her Educational Background ............................................................. 139 3.4.3 Marriage, Family Life and Divorce ................................................... 140 3.4.4 Uhuru Park Crusade- the Place of Divine Encounter ........................ 142 3. 4. 5 Visions and Dreams ......................................................................... 144 3.4.6 The Birth of Faith Evangelistic Ministries (FEM)