Kisii, Kenya, Pastor Makes News

13 November 2009 — Community of Christ pastor Lawrence Omambia is committed to helping his village in Kisii, Kenya, understand the worth of persons and that there is an alternative to violence against accused and self-professed witches. CNN, the BBC, and members of the German and Kenya press have visited with Lawrence.

Over the last three years in Kisii there have been many incidents in which people who have been accused of or confessed to being witches and wizards have been killed, then their bodies and houses burned. Witchcraft is alive and rife in Kisii. Vigilantes supported by the government and members of the community have gone from house to house searching for witches, exposing then killing them.

In the midst of this, most churches have been silent. They have not found the courage to speak up for the worth of all people and innocence of the accused unless found guilty by a court of law.

In Lawrence’s Kisii village and areas surrounding our churches, there are a minimum of ten homesteads that have been abandoned either because the families were killed on account of witchcraft allegations or fled to avoid being killed. The subject is discussed in hushed tones often under great fear. Many other homes have been abandoned by families who have fled and settled in urban areas for fear that their neighbors would bewitch them.

There is a fellowship of pastors from the district that brings together more than 50 churches. Lawrence is the chairman. In that capacity, he interacts with government officials and media organizations. Early this year, 15 accused witches were killed and their houses burned overnight. Thereafter, five more were killed in broad daylight.

These events attracted massive media attention. When asked what the churches were doing about it, Lawrence indicated that killing witches will not end witchcraft. Instead, he insisted that churches should pray for witches and their victims and that the power of God would overcome that of witchcraft. Following that interview, several media organizations visited Lawrence.

Lawrence has been integral in helping his community find a different way of dealing with a potentially peace-threatening issue. He has been an advocate for marginalized families who are victims of witchcraft as well as those who practice witchcraft themselves.

—Robert Wanga, Kenya Mission Centre Financial Officer, reporting