The African tour train Tales

Our train is in the Limuru area of Kenya, a tea-growing zone. The Agikuyu people of the central region of Kenya had a prophet, a seer known as Mugo wa Kibiru. He could foresee the future and warn the people of the mountain of any impending danger. He once told of a people with frog-like skin and brightly colored butterflies. The central region would be invaded by these strange people, vomited from a snake that wound its way around the mountain area.

This prophecy came to pass at the beginning of the 20th century when Europeans began to inhabit the Kikuyu region and the upper lands of the central part of Kenya. The region was more attractive to them due to its fresh and crisp air and fertile soil for farming. They forcefully pushed the natives from the rich farmlands down to the semi-arid area of Ndeiya which is rocky without stable rainfall patterns. The Church of Scotland mission had settled in the Kikuyu area and was ministering to the African people as they acquired more land. The increasing European populace required a place of worship and a European farmer donated a sizable tract of land where the church would be built.

However, the Africans were not allowed to worship in the same church much as they worshiped the same God. St. Cuthbert Church was founded in 1912, in Redhill, Limuru. The initial building was constructed using corrugated iron sheets, but a gothic architectural style permanent structure was put up due to an increase in the number of European settlers. The new building had a 200-sitting capacity and the corrugated iron sheet structure was handed over to the Africans. The church compound had a graveyard that dates to around 1927; however, African elders were buried after Kenya gained independence.

As the mau mau fought to reclaim back their lands a state of emergency was declared and both Europeans and Africans stopped attending the services due to insecurity, in fact, the church for Africans was demolished and that material was used to set up a church for them in the areas for which they had been transferred to and the keys to the main church at Redhill left under the care of the African elders. Saint Cuthbert church was again reopened in 1963 and for the first time, Africans worshiped in this church.

The natives bought back their ancestral land and settled peacefully and over the years developed the church. In 1965 the Anglican Church of Kenya asked if they could also use the same facilities for their services and their request was granted. The elders came up with a schedule that served both congregants for 17 years; the Anglican Church would have their service early in the morning, followed by the presbyterian services until the Anglicans built their own church across from Saint Cuthbert in 1982. A more spacious permanent church was opened in 2004 as the congregation's membership grew over time. The old structure still stands today and is in good condition after it was renovated and funded by Redhill Foundation, belonging to one of the long-time serving African members of this church.

The next time you visit Kenya, make your way to the Redhill church and learn more about this beautiful old monument.

Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) formerly known as Nairobi Pentecostal Church was established in 1959, as a ministry of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). The history of the church dates back to 1952 when Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, John McBride came to Nairobi with a mission to establish a church that is rooted in sound Christian worship. The decision to establish the church was born out of the need to have a church that could accommodate English-speaking multiracial individuals.

Listen to find out more.

Our train is camped in the capital of Kenya at the All Saints' Cathedral. The majority of “Nairobians’ attend the Christmas carol services held at this church for one simple reason, the ORGAN. A harmonized choir and the beautiful sounds that echo the cathedral from the organ leave one with all too visible chills. 

Listen as Njoki Kahihu talks about it

Today we look at the story of one amazing female clergy by the name of Canon Emily Awino Onyango. She made history by becoming the first female Anglican Bishop in East and Central Africa. When she was appointed Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bondo. Cannon Emily’s appointment was unanimous by the special synod board of the diocese of Bondo. She obtained her doctorate from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom and worked under Professor J Lonsdale on the history of women’s education in Kenya, a Master’s Degree from the Asian Centre of Theological Studies, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Saint Paul’s United Theological College. Bishop Emily was appointed canon back in 2018 and had previously served in the children’s ministry in the then Diocese of Maseno South and as a deacon. Bishop Emily is a senior lecturer at Saint Paul’s university where she teaches Church History in the Faculty of Theology. She is the chair of The Africa Centre for Biblical Equity (TACBE) and as Assistant Bishop she was given the responsibilities of training clergy, women’s ministry within the Church, and gender issues, including the empowerment of boys and girls; and tackling gender-based violence. Bishop Emily has also authored and edited different books and journals. Her books include For God and Humanity: 100 years of St. Paul’s United Theological College and Gender and Development: A History of Women’s Education in Kenya.

12th September 2021 is a day to be remembered and celebrated for years to come as the Anglican Church of Kenya ordained and consecrated the First-ever female Bishop. Rt. Rev. Rose Nereya Okeno became the First Female Diocesan Bishop in the History of the Anglican Church of Kenya. This is considered a very huge milestone within the church as most top clergy positions go to men. Bishop Rose has a background in Human resource management started out as an office administrator, planning and executing administrative roles within the diocese. Bishop Rose was determined to do more for her dioceses and with no time rose up to managerial roles. She is credited for restructuring operations and leading women projects-delivery and establishing women networks within the Butere area in western Kenya. Dedication to service is her greatest value tied to her faith and it is this sheer hard work that led to her being elected for the role of Bishop making her the Female ever in the Anglican church of Kenya to be consecrated as Bishop. She serves in what is termed as one of the oldest missionary centers of Western Kenya. That is all we had for you on the African Tour Tale, My name is Kahihu Njoki.

Today’s tale takes us to Dzogbegan Monastery in Togo. This Monastic community was founded by French Fathers in 1961 and they allow guests to sleep here and also dine with monks. The monastery has a picturesque environment and you are guaranteed your peace and can also join in on the daily prayers. The Abbey en -cancalcat monks from France were sent to Togo to set up a monastery and grow the monk community in 1961, the monks were successful as they had constructed monastery buildings in a year. They commenced their outreach to the communities by engaging in agricultural activities, opening a hospital. By 1972, the monastic community-sponsored agricultural training and development programs were active in thirty villages. An agricultural training center with the specific goal of training young local farmers was established at the monastery itself. The Agricultural outreach training program takes up 10 Togolese trainees annually. The monks self-sustain through farming and value addition. When they first arrived, they cleared land and cultivated coffee and fruit, set up a fish pond, and also breed cattle. Currently, they produce jam, syrup, and marmalade. The monastery church was however completed and consecrated in 1970. Later on, a guest house was built and opened to the public. The monks provide healthcare to the surrounding villages, employment, and training in agricultural activities, and in return, the community provides grounds for retreats, recollection, and for bible liturgical sessions. You want to marvel at the good things Christianity brings forth and sit down for some peace and quiet, Togo Monastic Community might be your go-to place.

Today’s tale takes us to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, which was known as the swampy lands back in the 1800s before the city’s development started during and after the completion of the railway line. We are looking at the Holy Family Minor Basilica cathedral, the Headquarters of the Catholic church in Kenya, and also the first stone building in Nairobi. Catholic church missionaries took advantage of the increasing number of settlers as a result of the railway construction and created a space that would fulfill their spiritual needs. The Holy Ghost Fathers of the Holy Ghost missionaries had a stone building with over 300 sitting capacities which later increased ten times more when the church was reconstructed in the 40s and 50s at the height of the liberation struggle, which caused interruptions nonetheless it was completed. The current church building was designed by the first female East African Architect, Dorothy Hughes, it stands at 98 feet tall with eight different chapels and a huge cross that cannot be missed when in the city’s vicinity. Pope John the second visited the cathedral three times, however, he designated it as a basilica during his visit in 1980. The first baptism was documented in 1906, two years after the establishment of the first church building. The first marriage was conducted in 1908, while the first group of Christians was confirmed in 1923. The Holy Ghost Fathers ran the church up until 1991, the cathedral operates throughout the week. The next time you are visiting Nairobi, make a point to visit, marvel at its amazing architecture, and say a prayer too.

Today we look at Saint Austin’s parish of the Holy Ghost Fathers situated in the Lavington area and also home to Saint Mary’s school and the birthplace of arabica coffee farming. The Holy Ghost fathers from France also known as Spiritans, came to Kenya hoping to establish missions, convert Africans into Christianity and end the slave trade. However, their mission along the coast was not very successful, as their fight against the slave trade led to the death of their missionaries since the Arab merchants were retaliating and few Africans joined in their mission. The Spiritans decided to relocate and moved up to Nairobi, where they negotiated for land to be allocated for them to set up their mission. The land was allocated in the Muthangari area in Lavington where the traditional gothic style structure stands with a tall protruding bell tower with a clock on it. The Spiritans opened this church to Africans to educate them and also convert them to Christianity. It took them time and there were many loops to jump through since they broke the laws which prohibited Africans from mingling with whites, however, they were not deterred and pressed on with the mission they were called to at Heart. It is in this same location that they experimented with Coffee farming owing to the success of their counterparts in Kilimanjaro and as they say, the rest is history.

Saint Stephen’s Church is home to some of the best Gospel artists in the country. The history of the home of African gospel inspiration dates back to 1903 when the church's foundation was laid, and timber with metal sheet roof structure was put up where the Kenyan parliament stands today. When Kenya gained her independence in 1963, the choir at saint Stephen’s church was tasked with performing their well-choreographed choral pieces to celebrate the special day that would forever change the course of the country.

Today we look at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa’s cross. Abbreviated as AIPCA, it rose in defiance of the missionaries’ teachings, a section of the natives realized there was an abundance of similarities between the God the white man was preaching and the God they adored traditionally. The church has a peculiar cross or non-traditional from the usual Latin cross.

Listen to find out more about the meaning behind the Tri-Bar Cross

Today’s tale takes us to the Eastern Region of Kenya, we are at the Cradle of the African Inland Church. The African Inland church was born out of the mission works of the African Inland mission under the leadership of one Peter Cameron Scott. He got his vision to start the African Inland Mission in Africa after visiting David Livingstone’s grave, an explorer and missionary respected and adored the world over.

Njoki Kahihu travels to Egypt and Ethiopia to continue with Christmas celebrations there since they follow the Julian calendar. Christians from these two countries celebrated Christmas on January 7th, 2022.

Njoki Kahihu takes a train ride to the western part of Kenya in a small town called Kibuye to talk to us about a Catholic church built by the community who brought bricks as an offering to help build the building. 

Like many other Christians around the world, Liberians decorate, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Those with means are expected to share with their neighbors, friends, family, and those in need because giving is a tenet of Christianity. However, if you are of means and you don’t share with those that lack you risk getting in the sardonic ways of Old man Beggar...Liberians consider him Santa’s Sidekick instead of distributing gifts he puts on a witty and satirical performance that delivers a social commentary and Christian morality tales of course with Grinch(here is the one who has more than enough but does not want to share) as his main point of reference.

It is not Christmas in Rwanda without Isombe, this is a meal consisting of mashed cassava leaves and green bananas cooked in tomato sauce. Here Christmas celebrations commence on the eve of Christmas and sidewalks are filled with people making their way to church, the night mass is filled with prayers and beautiful traditional Christmas hymns sang in Kinyarwanda.  For most in Rwanda, this is a day of prayer, relaxation, and eating kebabs. Grilled beef or goat, fried potatoes, and rice will be the centerpiece for most meals, and for most families, it is the one time of the year where meat is part of their meal. 

Christmas in Nigeria is a big deal however the energy and effort put into planning for this celebration is dependent on the economic situation just before the start of the festivities. The Nigerian 12 days of Christmas outlines all the meals prepared and served during the festive period, the official cuisine comprises fried rice and Jollof rice with stew alongside chicken and turkey.

Njoki Kahihu starts African Christmas tales looking at Mali as it is the most wonderful time of the year there as some people spend well over 30 hours in church. It all begins with an all-night service on Christmas eve which includes worship, preaching, and items performed by different groups including children and young people.

Today's tale looks at the catholic church of Notre Dame Auxiliatrice built by the seaside in honor of those who died in the shipwrecks that happened off the northern coast of the islands. It is one of the oldest and plainly built churches in Mauritius. It was established by Roman Catholics in the 1900s, it survived and stood witness to the war between the French and British over the control of the Island.

Today's tale takes us to the beautiful Island of Seychelles. We will be looking at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, also Known as the cathedral of Victoria. It is among the first churches to be built and is the largest Catholic church in this African Archipelago country of Seychelles. It was established in 1892 by Pope Leo the XIII, however, it was built in 1874 and is currently the seat of the bishop of the diocese of the port of victoria.

We are camped at Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, which is known for its laid-back atmosphere and colonial modernist architectural buildings. The architectural works seen today in Asmara are a result of Italian Futuristic Architects and the manual labor from the Eritreans. We will be looking at one of its most prominent religious sites, The Eritrean orthodox church known as ‘Enda Mariam Cathedral’ or ‘Kidisti Mariam Cathedral’ which means ‘Saint Mary Cathedral’. The cathedral was previously a wooden structure built in the 19th century before the then Italian Governor ordered for the cathedral to be modernized.

Today's tale takes us to Burkina Faso, The name Burkina Faso means land of Honest people, and its capital Ouagadougou means welcome home here with us. The cathedral of Immaculate conception of Ouagadougou was constructed in the 1930s by Apostle Joany of the white fathers at a time when Burkina Faso was known as French North Africa.

Our African train takes us back to Malawi, to look at the oldest church in the town of Blantyre. It was built by the Scottish missionaries. Blantyre, Malawi’s second-largest city and its capital of commerce and industry, was founded in 1876 by Scottish missionaries and named after a small town outside Glasgow, Scotland. Saint Michaels and All Angels presbyterian church was the first permanent building to be erected in the town of Blantyre.

Today’s tale involves a voice or God’s spirit named “wele wa Msambwa” Mount Elgon, a man who heard God’s voice called Masinde, and of course the colonialists. The Church I am talking about is known as the “Dini ya Msambwa” religion from the western part of Kenya with a majority of its followers from the Bukusu community.

Malawi is known for many things such as having a Scottish city, which was named after the birthplace of David Livingstone, a Scottish doctor, missionary, and explorer who to a large extent contributed to the spread of Christianity in Malawi. Malawi is also known for having the third largest Lake in Africa and the Ninth in the world, Lake Malawi, which David Livingstone described as a ‘lake of stars’ this was due to the many fishing boats that could be seen at night with lanterns on them. Malawi is a predominantly Christian nation but also has a sizeable group of people that practice Islam and others who adhere to traditional religious beliefs.

The train is in Kenya and in today's tale we look at the History of the Anglican Church of Kenya. The history of the Anglican church of Kenya dates back to 1844 when the first missionary from the Church Missionary Society (CMS), Dr. Johann Ludwing Krapf arrived in Mombasa. He was joined two years later by Rev. Johann Rebman. The two CMS intended to link a CMS station that was established at Rabai in the coastal region at the same time. The missionaries had to study and learn African languages in order to communicate and spread Christianity. This resulted in Krapf's translation of the book of Genesis chapter 1-3 in Kiswahili in 1847.

We are in the coastal area of Kenya in Malindi town. Today we look at the oldest Portuguese chapel in East Africa. The Portuguese presence was due to the famous explorer Vasco Da Gama, the first European to successfully link Asia to Europe via Africa. On his way to India, he stopped at Malindi to replenish supplies and he met a sheik who at the time was in charge of the town that was largely Muslim-dominated. Malindi was in constant wars with Mombasa and the sheik decided to align himself with the Portuguese to gain an upper hand over his neighbors. The Sheikh and Vasco Da Gama established a good relationship which resulted in the Islamic authorities granting him permission to erect a church, St. Francis Xavier Chapel Malindi.

The African tale train is back to Uganda to look at the Jewish community of Uganda who refers to themselves as Abayudaya. Their history begins with one man referred to as the great warrior of Uganda Mr. Semei Kakungulu. Semei was born in Kokki kingdom, to Semuwemba, a talented and smart man of Ganda origin. His talents gained him favor with the Koki king however a plot in the royal court led to the execution of both him and his wife.

We are back in Kenya and Today’s focus is on the Presbyterian Church of East Africa PCEA for short, we are looking at how the movement started in Kenya. The Reverend Musa Gitau is a very well-known name in Kenya, especially in religious circles. He was among the first few African pastors to be ordained in 1926 under the Presbyterian Church. There are churches and schools named after him in Kikuyu and Dagoretti area. This church’s history begins with a business company who were setting up trade in East Africa and one of their members saw it fit to start a mission.

Today’s tale takes us to Kenya. When the railroad from Mombasa to Uganda was constructed it paved the way for many Christian missions to set up in Kenya however as time went by, new churches known as African independent churches started sprouting up, they broke ties and distanced themselves from Protestant churches. The New Independent churches operated with a different set of rules and beliefs with some incorporating indigenous religious beliefs, more often than not their ways of worship are termed as peculiar. One of such churches is in Kenya, considered to be among the largest and first breakaway Independent churches in Kenya, Nomiya Luo church was founded by Johana Owalo in the Nyanza region of Kenya. He was one of the early Christian converts of the 1900s in Kenya.

The train has taken us back to Egypt at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, it is believed that the structure stands at the place where the pharaoh’s daughter found baby Moses, and at one point it had a copy of the old testament written by Prophet Ezra. The Synagogue stands behind the famous hanging church of Cairo in Old Cairo.

Today we hear of the Gabonese republic or simply Gabon. The name Gabon comes from the Portuguese word “gabao” meaning “cloak”. Early explorers thought the estuary of the Komo River by the capital of Libreville resembled a coat with sleeves and a hood.

Portuguese first settled in the areas of Fernando Po and Sao Tome Principe as Gabon was then ruled by the Kingdoms of Loango. The Loango people believed in a God whom they called Sambian and deities who existed in different natural forms and had priests who would perform different rituals in order to identify a protector for a particular household or community. Find out more about how Christianity came to this land of copper. 

Today we are making a stop at Garbage City in Cairo Egypt to learn of the Cave Church of Saint Simon in Mokkatahum or the cave church of Zabaleen. Garbage City in southern Eastern Cairo, Egypt became known as such due to its large population of garbage collectors also known as the Zabbaleen.  The Zabbaleen are known descendants of farmers who started migrating from Upper Egypt to Cairo in the 40s.

Find out more about how the church came about. 

Today’s tale is about the West African country of Cote D'Ivoire. Its capital city is home to the largest church building in the world. Basilica of our lady of peace Yamoussoukro. Despite it being a Secular state officially, Christianity in Ivory Coast is the leading religion mainly Catholics and evangelical, The Constitution of Ivory coast allows for freedom of religion and most of their religious inclinations are influenced by politics and ethnic beliefs.

Today we are in Zambia to hear of the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy cross that was built by the colonial government as a legal requirement for Lusaka to be granted City Status as much as it would be a house of worship. The Cathedral was built in the 60s by Ian Reeler and company, the same team that put up the Sydney Opera House. 

For Lusaka to be granted City status it needed a cathedral, the colonial administration of Northern Rhodesia currently Zambia approached both the Catholic and Anglican churches and offered to give them land upon which the cathedral would be set up. The Anglicans jumped on this opportunity and an 18-meter high above-the-floor wall church with a concrete roof was set up. The Architectural style of the church is one to marvel at as it was built at a time when no crane existed but only an electrical pulley. The first donation for its construction came from Queen Elizabeth, a cement company in Zambia, the mining companies, and individuals.

Today the train has taken us all the way to Seychelles, the land of over 15 islands with no indigenous inhabitants. Seychelles is part of the Indian Ocean, this Island is inhabited by a multi-ethnic population characterized by its long history of slavery, Arab and British Traders, French Colonizers, and Pirates. Their diverse nature is also seen through their different religions, culture, and cuisine.

Religion in Seychelles is very varied. A larger proportion of the population is Christians with Roman Catholicism taking a larger chunk and the rest distributed between Protestants and evangelical Christians, Islam and a smaller chunk stick to their traditional religion despite being disapproved by the civil authorities in place.

Today our train travels west and stops at Benin the country known for inhabiting a kingdom of a people whose way of life earned them the name 'black spartan' a likening to the spartans of Greece where men were trained from a young age to be warriors and also trained female soldiers. There are adherents to Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions however as per a 2013 census, Christianity is the dominant religion.

Christianity first came to Benin in the 15th century and it was brought by the Portuguese.

Today the train is making a stop in the beautiful land of Kenya. Today we look at a religion that started as a peaceful retaliation to colonial rule, way of life and religion. The train makes a stop between the ridges of the central highlands in Kenya to learn of the Holy Ghost Church of East Africa also known as Akurinu in local dialect.

Today we look at the Old Cathedral or Church of Our Lady of Liberation in Quelimane. This old church was erected at the site where Vasco Da Gama tied his ships on his way to India.

Njoki Kahihu is in Cote D'ivoire visiting the the biggest catholic church in the world, The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro. It stands tall at 158 metres, 22 metres higher than saint Peter’s.also known as the basilica of the Bush, it is the most visited tourist attraction in Ivory Coast and may also be considered as the one of the most prominent tourist sights in all of West Africa.

Kahihu Njoki travels to Ethiopia and takes a bath at the Fascillides Bath. Fasilides' Bath is an important cultural and historic monument that plays an important role during the Ethiopian festival of Timket. 

Visiting Gondar during Timkat is one of the most magical cultural experiences in Ethiopia. Pilgrims from across the country arrive to partake, and witnessing the festivities play out amongst ancient structures is a testament to the importance of historical sites like this for Ethiopians, their traditions, and values.

Today the train will make a stop in Eswatini, Formerly known as Swaziland; the Kingdom of Eswatini was established by the Swazis in mid 18th century under the leadership of Ngwane the third. However, the Swazi territory as is today was unified and expanded by King Mswati the second in the 19th Century. King Mswati was known as a fighter and is credited for coming up with the defense strategies that led to the consolidation of Swazi territories into one kingdom. Christianity is the dominant religion in Eswatini and was first introduced by King Mswati the second when he invited Methodist Christian missionaries into his kingdom.

The train is making a stop in the southern hemisphere of Mozambique. At this island of Mozambique, we look at the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte which was built in 1522 and it’s the oldest European building in the southern part of Africa still standing to date.

The name of the church explains or gives meaning to its location. The name Baluarte means bastion or defender and so the chapel is named our lady of the bastion. The Portuguese built the church for both defensive and religious purposes.

Kahihu Njoki travels to Ethiopia to tell us how religion got there. 

Njoki Kahihu travels to Equatorial Guinea and tells us how religion was introduced to Equatoguineans. 

Kahihu Njoki tells tales of how the SDA church came to Kenya

The majority of the Christians in Chad are divided into Protestants and Roman Catholics. Christianity came to Chad at the end of the 19th century shortly after the colonial conquest with the coming of the French. The Protestants were the first to arrive around the 1920s while The Roman Catholics came in 1929 a few years later.

Kahihu Njoki is making a stop at Madagascar to find out how Christianity found its way in Madagascar and how it was received there.  

Njoki Kahihu travels down to Uganda and tells us how Christianity came to Uganda

Kahihu Njoki this week goes down to Cairo Egypt to take a look at garbage city in Cairo Egypt

Kahihu Njoki takes a look at Easter in West Africa