An examination of the Socio-political contribution of Pentecostalism to Kenyan national development: a case study of Christ Is the answer ministries

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.