Catholic Archbishop Cautions Kenyans against False Prophets, Calls for True Faith in Christ

“We have become people who believe whatever we are told by anyone. These are the witchdoctors of today, who clothe themselves in the garments of Christianity, but they are witchdoctors, magicians, and those who seek to capture the hearts of people,” he added.

The Local Ordinary of Nyeri challenged Kenyans to put their trust in God through prayer amid life’s challenges.

“We are invited to lift our eyes and look at the Lord, to look at our Savior on the cross. Let us know that He has saved us from all troubles, all evil, even from any kind of fear,” he said.

“I would ask us to listen to Christ the Lord alone. The one who has been appointed to heal us, the one who has been given the work to take away all our troubles.  We look at the one who rose again, who conquered death, who defeated Satan and the powers of Satan. And by looking at all this, we have hope that in our lives, if we unite with Christ our Lord, we too will be victorious,” he added.

Referring to Matthew’s Gospel, the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop also encouraged Christians to approach Christ in humility, and that in return, God will give them rest.

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“Come to me all who are burdened, troubled, weighed down with problems, sicknesses, weighed down by economy, hunger, come to me in prayer. Come and humble yourselves,” he said, referring to Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites all experiencing different kinds of burdens to come to Him, promising rest and instruction in His gentle and humble heart.

In his reflection, the Kenyan member of Opus Dei denounces the Shakahola starvation cult, which claimed the lives of more than four hundred individuals due to false prophetic teachings.

According to a January 2024 report, authorities claimed that Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the Good News International Church, told members in southeastern Kenya to starve themselves and their children so they could reach heaven before the end of the world.

He also pointed out the recent tragedy in Kilifi linked to false prophetic teachings, which lured individuals in “seeking a way to reach heaven through the lies of a so-called prophetic leader.”

According to a March 2024 report of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) that followed “a monitoring exercise from March 2023 to date on the Shakahola Tragedy ... a total of 429 bodies were exhumed, 67 adult persons, and 25 children were rescued."

To address religious tragedies, the Local Ordinary of Nyeri has called upon all Kenyans, especially religious leaders, to identify and expose the false prophets who are taking advantage of vulnerable individuals.

Archbishop Muheria has said, “Let us stop deceiving in the name of God. A curse will come upon us because we have used the name of the Lord to enrich ourselves, to deceive, to lie to Kenyans. It is a great curse upon you, your children, and your community.”

He has further urged Christians in the East African nation not to fall for teachings that go against the will of God, such as being told to starve, avoid hospitals, or surrender their property in exchange for promised miracles.

He also calls on the Kenyan government to act, noting that over 500 Kenyans have died under questionable circumstances linked to religious manipulation, yet little has been done to hold those responsible accountable despite the present leadership in those areas.

“The leaders must know what we shall do so that these things do not continue. Because here we have failed as leaders, and here we have failed greatly as Christians,” he says in his reflection published on September 21, calling for responsibility in leadership.

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Archbishop Muheria goes on to appeal for a return to firm and authentic faith in God, saying, “Today is a day to return to faith, not to have things we call faith but are not faith—it is following a person without seeing where you are going.”

“Almighty God, save us from these things that have overwhelmed us in life; save us now so that we may reach You in the right way,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop implored.

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.