Freedom of worship as outlined in the constitution of Kenya states that every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
It further states that a person may not be compelled to act, or engage in any act, that is contrary to the person’s belief or religion.
It is in this line that members of the African Kenya Sabcrynnsk of Sowing, Praying and healing church in Free area, Nakuru county believe that theirs is a religion ordained by God.
The Church was founded in 1970s by one Elisha Shionga from Kabaras in Kakamega county.
When our media crew paid a visit to the church in Free area, Nakuru on a Sunday, we find the members led by Elisha Muhanji who is recognized among his followers as ‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ dancing and praising their maker as they go round a huge cross erected outside the church.
‘Prophet Muhanji’ says the Cross simplifies Holiness and that each members has to repent all his sins before entering the church.
During this time they don’t greet anyone by hand to avoid coming into contact with sins.
The ‘Prophet’ claims his name Elisha was foreseen while still in his mother’s womb way back in Irovo Village of Shinyalu Sub County in Kakamega.
Another visible character that one notices is the huge turbine on his head and our curiosity drove us to ask why the huge turbine.
‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ explains that, “God directed me not to shave my hair as per the prophecy that my mother was told while I was in the womb.”
The class two dropout of Irovo Primary school in Shinyalu Sub county of Kakamega adds that he has never shaved the his hair since 1986 in order to fulfill the said prophecy.
The hair is so huge that with the turbine on he cannot travel using the normal matatu but he has to use a motorbike in order to allow the turbine free.
The leader of over 1million followers across the country reveals to us that his prophetic work began while at Irovo Primary school in Shinyalu Sub County in 1983.
He narrates that, “In 1983 as a pupil at Irovo Primary school I fell asleep in class and when my teacher by the name Omurunga woke me up the Holy spirit gave me divine interventions about my teacher and I began telling the teacher everything about their home.”
From then, he began the Ministry.
African Kenya Sabcrynnsk of Sowing, Praying and healing church has its own rules when it comes to leadership in the church.
‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji narrates that, “We don’t elect leaders of the church but the Holy spirit directs us. We have Prophets and Prophetess, Missionaries, as well as elders as directed by the Holy Spirit.”
The other unique part of the African Kenya Sabcrynnsk of Sowing, Praying and healing church is that unlike other denominations hat believe in Christ Jesus at the mediator, they only pray though the Holy spirit who then directs them to God through the prophets.
On dress code, the church has this type of long ‘Kanzus’ with different colors as per the experience in matters of spirituality and that they do not allow clothes that show off one’s body such as miniskirts.
The Kanzus, according to ‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ are sacred clothes and they are not allowed to eat or even relieve themselves while putting on the sacred clothes.
Not only that, but leaders of the branches have the shepherd sticks to signify leadership and authority.
Sitting set up in the church has it that we have a separate door for members and leaders and that before entering the church one has to remove shoes.
The last unique aspect of the African Kenya Sabcrynnsk of Sowing, Praying and healing church is on matters of health where before they go to hospital they first pray to the Holy Spirit to intervene and identify the illness.
“We believe God is above all and therefore we pray through the Holy Spirit for intervention on illness before we visit a doctor” says ‘Prophet Muhanji’.
Sentiments echoed by one of his followers Ms Margaret Adhiambo who joined the church in 1984.
Ms Adhiambo says she had unknown illness but when she joined the church, she was prayed for and she believes the disease disappeared up to now.
Similar sentiment echoed by Meshack Ousi who joined the church in 1994 and says, “True healing comes through the intervention of the Holy spirit.”
‘Prophet Wilberforce Makhani who joined the church in 1987 says the Holy Spirit intervention is key.
“Holy spirit intervention is key. We use both the new and Old Testament since even Prophet Elijah came through the New Testament and we are following his footsteps” says Prophet Makhani.
When a member errs, there is a sacrifice done at the cross outside the church to cleanse the member before he or she can join the congregation.
These are indeed beliefs that each and every follower adheres to.
‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ as he is best known among his followers is also an artist and a family man with three wives and children.
When he is not in the church on his divine duty, you will find him in Jabu production studios in Free area, Nakuru trying to put tones here and there.
He has 3 albums of local Luhya and Swahili music-an idea that he has also bestowed on his young daughter Sarah Muhanji.
He believes God has given each and everyone a talent which should be used for his own glory.
‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ as he is best known among his followers is also an artist and a family man with three wives and children.
When he is not in the church on his divine duty, you will find him in Jabu production studios in Free area, Nakuru trying to put tones here and there.
He has 3 albums of local Luhya and Swahili music-an idea that he has also bestowed on his young daughter Sarah Muhanji.
He believes God has given each and everyone a talent which should be used for his own glory.
PHOTO/Pristone Mambili: ‘Prophet Elisha Muhanji’ addressing media in Nakuru.