Abstract:
This study is sought to shed light on the question of Pentecostalism’s sociopolitical
role in Kenyan national development by looking at the case of Christ Is the
Answer Ministries (CITAM). CITAM is one of the leading Pentecostal
denominations in Kenya. Using CITAM was particularly important to this study
because of the fact that the denomination targets people living in the urban
settlements of Kenya. Besides, CITAM is a middle-class Pentecostal denomination, a
significant percentage of CITAM members are educated, and are influential at
different levels of Kenya’s socio-political strata.
The purpose of this research is therefore to study whether a Pentecostal
denomination like CITAM is involved in the socio-political development of Kenya as
well as evaluate the effectiveness of its involvement. This is a socio-scientific and
traditional theological research. To gather data for the research, the researcher made
use of mixed research methodology. The mixed research methodology combined both
the quantitative and qualitative research methods. Specifically, questionnaires were
administered and interviews were conducted in order to achieve the purpose of the
study and to successfully answer the research questions raised in the study. This
method was used for complimentary purposes.
The research is divided into five chapters. Chapter one of the study which is
the introduction, gave a general overview on the background, rationale, purpose,
research questions and the methodology used in the study. Chapter two dealt with
theoretical review of literature. Here, the researcher presented the recent debates on
the role of African Pentecostalism in the public space. Chapter three presented a full
explanation of the methodology used for the collection of data for this study. The
analysis of the data as well as the finding from the analysis is found in chapter four;
while chapter five contained the conclusion of the study and recommendations for
action for CITAM in order to improve its involvement in the socio-political
development of Kenya.
In conclusion, the study revealed that CITAM is involved in the socio-political
development of Kenya but stronger in social involvement than political. Challenges of
tribalism, financial constrains, and unclear policy on socio-political development are
however some of the challenges affecting the effectiveness of its involvement.
