In every society, some individuals exploit the trust and faith of others for personal gain. Kenya, like any other country, is not immune to the presence of controversial figures within its religious landscape.
While it is important to respect the diversity of beliefs and practices, it is equally crucial to shed light on those who have been accused of engaging in fraudulent activities.
Here are the Top 10 List of Top Fake Pastors in Kenya 2024
Prophet Dr. David Owuor
Operating under the guise of a religious leader, this individual has established a cult-like following. Through psychological manipulation and control tactics, he has managed to exert a disturbing level of influence over his devoted disciples.
This pprophet claims to possess the power to cast out demons and perform exorcisms. However, allegations have surfaced that suggest he uses these practices as a means to exploit vulnerable individuals, often demanding exorbitant fees for his services.
Prophet Owuor thrives on instilling fear and paranoia in his followers. By convincing them that the world is on the brink of destruction, he manipulates their emotions and exploits their vulnerabilities for personal gain.
Self-proclaimed prophet Dr. David Owuor has come out to distance himself and his Church Of Repentance And Holiness against any association with King’S Outreach Church, one of the five churches deregistered by the government.
- Lawyer’s family accuses Prophet David Owuor of brainwashing her and usurping her property
- Repentance and Holiness Ministry leader Prophet David Owuor is a man on the spotlight.
- A family of one of the ministry’s bishops is accusing Owuor of brainwashing their sister while cutting off her access to the family.
Bishop Gilbert Deya
Gilbert Juma Deya is a stonemason turned evangelist who lived in Britain from the mid-1990s until 2017, when he was extradited to Kenya to face charges of stealing five children between 1999 and 2004. He was acquitted of the charges in 2023
According to this man of God, the Almighty has gifted him with powers to make infertile women pregnant. But how? The Kenyan-based us preacher has been accused of stealing innocent children from women and smuggling them across the border to Britain. He has also been accused of se xual assault. He calls them Miracle Babies. He has been charged with attempted ra pe 4 times.
Deya, from south-east London and originally from Kenya, has run the registered charity Gilbert Deya Ministries, which claims a UK membership of 36,000.
Pastor James Maina Nganga
He is the founder of Neno evangelism. He has been accused of taking Mercy Njeri’s life in a fatal accident with his Range Rover and bribed the police to hide evidence away from the public eye. He has a record of being imprisoned at Shimo la Tewa. He performs fake miracles at a price.
Pastor James Nganga has only one wife but has however been in two marriages. He got married to his currlent wife after his wife tragically passed away. This prompted him to find another wife for his companionship leading to his marriage with Mrs. Maina
Pastor James Nganga was jailed in Kenya Federal Prison for over 20 years because James was involved in an armed robbery where he was caught with his friends with a gun. He was sentenced and served 20 years in prison
Bishop Thomas Wahome
Bishop Thomas Wahome of the Helicopter of Christ Church was deregistered for being a con and has attributed the reregistration of his Church to rivalry in the industry.
“I believe my enemies are using the office of Registrar of Societies to frustrate my ministry and me,” he said.
The helicopter of Christ church pranked his own congregation into believing he had been granted access to God’s book of life and began extorting a whole 1000 shillings from them to tell them if their names belonged to the book of life. His followers touch his clothes at a whopping 1200 bob to get healed.
Prophet Victor Kanyari
Pastor Kanyari who went underground for a while after being exposed for duping congregants for using potassium permanganate to produce blood now runs a thriving church at Chokaa area in Njiru where his classic bungaloo residence is also located
He is that guy. He is a self-declared doctor and prophet who runs the salvation healing ministry. He was busted by media for his scum, soliciting sex from his female church members and coaxing them to testify of fake miracles performed by him. Also, his Mbegu ya 310 and Potassium per manganite for miracles.
Kanyari, the lead preacher of Salvation Healing Ministry, now goes by the name Bishop Mwangi, which he says is his other official government name
Pastor Allan Gitonga
This self-proclaimed “man of God” has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. With a silver tongue and a knack for manipulating emotions, he has amassed a following of devoted followers. However, allegations of financial impropriety and extravagant lifestyles have tarnished his reputation.
His extravagant lifestyle is what many admire, the Redeemed gospel churches leader has been accused of grabbing land around his Huruma church. He charges Ksh 200 to 20000 for a miracle.
Pastor John Nduati
Pastor John Nduati of God’s Power Church along Thika Road. This man is pathetic. 97% of his preaching is all about money. This man is a copy cat of pastor Kanyari. He corroborates most of his financial begging with the verses in The Holy Bible. The man stage manages his miracles like Kanyari. He mostly dupes women from Dandora, Kariobangi , Baba Dogo and Huruma Estates
Pastor Michael Njoroge
Claiming to possess supernatural powers, this pastor has gained notoriety for his alleged ability to perform miracles. However, skeptics argue that these so-called miracles are nothing more than well-orchestrated illusions aimed at deceiving the unsuspecting faithful.
The fire gospel ministry leader is quite a fake when it comes to miracles. Banging prostitutes and using them to testify his miracles, stage managing a scene where gunmen showered his machine with bullets yet he walked away unharmed, the list of fake miracles is endless.
Pastor Muriithi And His Wife
Pastor Muriithi of Mavuno Church is another controversial pastor – he uses the phrase “fake it till you make it” – He drives top of range cars and he lives in opulence. His wife uses more than sh 50,000 a day on cosmetics thanks to his gullible followers. He is also a fake pastor.
With a charismatic personality and persuasive charm, this pastor has managed to sway the opinions and decisions of his followers. However, accusations of emotional and psychological manipulation have raised concerns about his true intentions.
Pastor Muriithi of House of Grace church also makes to the list of shame. Though details of the pastor remain sketchy, a deacon of the Church once told the DAILY POST that the pastors perform miracles at a price and his wife who is also a pastor spends church offerings in high end salons and cosmetics shop in the city. She spends Sh 40,000 a day on salon and cosmetics.
Claiming to possess the ability to heal the sick and cure ailments, this pastor has built a reputation as a faith healer. However, investigations have revealed that many of his supposed miracles are staged, with individuals being paid to act as though they have been healed.
Prophetess Lucy Nduta
Prophet Victor Kanyari’s mother, Prophetess Lucy Nduta, was jailed for two years after being found guilty of offering fake HIV cure through miracle prayers at her church at the Kenya Railways godowns in Nairobi.
Preaching a gospel of wealth and prosperity, this pastor has built an empire on the hopes and dreams of his congregation. While promising financial breakthroughs and material abundance, his critics accuse him of exploiting vulnerable individuals who are desperate for a change in their circumstances.
The mother of Victor Kanyari has quite a reputation. She calls herself the HIV/AIDS healer. That through prayers she can cure it completely. After convincing her congregation she started to charge for her special prayers.
Pastor Maina Njenga
Operating under the guise of a religious leader, this individual has established a cult-like following. Through psychological manipulation and control tactics, he has managed to exert a disturbing level of influence over his devoted disciples.
The former Mungiki leader is the founder of Hope International Ministries Church in Kasarani. Though he claims to profess the word of God, he still partakes the Mungiki paraphernalia inside the church. He also commands a fanatical following.
Wilfred Lai
He is the Senior Pastor of Jesus Celebration Centre in Mombasa; he has been accused of grabbing parcels of land in Mombasa town and its outskirts.
With a constant stream of prophecies and predictions, this pastor keeps his followers on the edge of their seats. However, skeptics argue that these prophecies are nothing more than cleverly crafted guesses aimed at maintaining a devoted following and financial support.
“His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep. 11 Yes, the dogs are forever looking for food; while these, the keepers of the sheep, are without wisdom: they have all gone after their pleasure, every one looking for profit; they are all the same. 12 Come, they say, I will get wine, and we will take strong drink in full measure; and tomorrow will be like today, full of pleasure” Isaiah 56:10-12
Conclusion
While it is important to remember that not all religious leaders are fraudulent, it is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning. The presence of fake pastors in Kenya’s religious landscape serves as a reminder that blind faith can sometimes lead to exploitation. By shining a light on these controversial figures, we can encourage a more transparent and accountable religious community.
