THE LATEST KENYAN NEWS: Kenyans in USA return children back to motherland

Dr. Solomon Waigwa , a Kenyan scholar and professor of philosophy at the Wiley College in Texas introduces his wife, Tabitha Waigwa during a keynote speech at the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America (KCFA) Philadelphia Chapter’s 2013 Revival Weekend held last week at the Cavalry Church in Wyncott, Pennsylvania. PIC BY JOAB MAGARA/AJABU MEDIA

By Joab Magara, Ajabuafrica-Philadelphia, Posted: Jun 06, 2013
PHILADELPHIA, PA_Kenyans in America are returning their children back home to Kenya in greater numbers.

This shocking revelation came from Dr. Solomon Waigwa who was the guest speaker at the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America (KCFA) Philadelphia Chapter’s 2013 Revival Weekend held last week at the Cavalry Church in Wyncott, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Waigwa said that Kenyans in America, defeated by the difficult behaviors of their children, found it easier to ship them back to Kenya.

“Many Kenyans would rather voluntarily repatriate their children back to Kenya instead of watching them die in America. As a pastor I am grieved. Those children had opportunities to study here. We are struggling to bring people here, yet others are being shipped back,” an obviously disturbed Dr. Waigwa said.

The genesis of the problem, Dr. Waigwa said, was that people did not take worship into their homes. The children consequently sought joy outside the home.

“Watu wetu hapa wameanza kutapikwa na nchi,” said Dr. Waigwa. (Our people are becoming rejects in this country).

He said there was no fear of God in many homes. Children do not even bother to greet the pastor when the man of God visits their homes. “Wazazi wamewezwa.” (Parents have had it).

The children taken back to Kenya were in a no win situation. They could not fit into a society that neither understood them, nor they understood. “How can they succeed?,” posed Dr. Waigwa. He said people should not fear disciplining their children as taught in the bible.

Waigwa bemoaned Kenyan’s reputation in many American cities as terrible drinkers and alcoholics. “I do not know about here in Philadelphia, but across America, Kenyans have a drinking problem.”

He admonished people to turn to God now. “You were made to worship God. You better do so now, or God will make you worship Him,” he said.

He added that God will create special situations through which those who did not want to worship Him now could do so. “You either choose to worship God now, or you will do so in your ICU bed, or do so because your child is sick, or because something bad is happening. It will happen.”

Dr. Waigwa surprised the audience when he revealed that the Akorino were the first to speak in tongues in Kenya.

He said the subject was studied and documented by several scholars.

Waigwa, a renowned scholar and professor of philosophy at the Wiley College in Texas asserted that in 1920, oppressed by the colonialist, some people in Cenral Kenya ran into the mountains where they prayed in desperation to God for mercy. “The Holy Ghost came down upon them, and they began speaking in tongues. That happened long before they heard anything about the Pentecostals.”

Referring to literature authored by the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Waigwa said that in 1922 another group of believers received the Holy Ghost in Nyangori in Western Kenya, and started speaking in tongues. Just like their brothers in Central Kenya, they named their church “The Holy Ghost Church.” Speaking in tongues then became known as the disease of mercy.

“That disease of mercy is still relevant today,” Professor Waigwa said.

Dr. David Wachira, Dr. Waigwa's son.

He advised people to let Jesus be the center of their homes and to praise, and thank God in every situation. “Praise God in the midst of your predicaments. There is power in praise. The Lord will fight for you when you worship Him.”

The turban wearing scholar and minister remains uncompromising in his ways. He said the true way of worship as brought to Africans by missionaries was corrupted by the foreigner’s own culture.

“The missionaries urged Africans to discard their cultural ways while at the same time inculcating the white man’s own traditions into the African way of life. The end result was a confused and hardly recognizable way of worship.”

Quoting from the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s book, "Not Yet Uhuru,”Waigwa told the story how a minister of the word refused to baptize Raila Amollo Odinga on the account that he did not have a Christian name. “What is Christian about names like William, or George?” he posed. “We have to be proud of what we are.”

Waigwa who is a professor at the Wiley College in Texas as a husband and father, he remains focused on providing practical and spiritual leadership in his home.

As a result, Waigwa said all his family members have managed to stay out of trouble in American and stay focused on God, academic and career advancements.

The family members included his wife, Mrs. Tabitha Waigwa ( RN) his son, Dr. David Wachira, and daughters, Elizabeth Waigwa ( RN), and Priscilla Waigwa.

David Wachira, 28, who is also a professor at Wiley College, only recently received his PhD degree, and has obtained a position as an economist with the World Bank.

He will be based in Washington DC.

Waigwa’s elder daughter, Elizabeth, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Masters degree in Public Health, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health.

Priscilla, the younger daughter will be graduating in December, and intends to pursue a combined Masters and doctoral program in psychology.

Dr. Waigwa amused the audience when he said people often asked him how he’s succeeded having his entire family wear turbans. “I tell them I use nails,” he joked. On a serious note, he said parents should teach their children to submit to the authority of the father. He said the consistency of Christian living and discipline must be sustained from birth, through adulthood.

Speaking during the same event, Rev. Robert Wafula of the African Christian Ministry cautioned Christians to remember to pray and stay with God in the good times. “I want you to be very careful when you feel you are getting blessed. Those are the primary moments when people turn away from God,” Pastor Wafula said.

Rev. Robert Wafula

Rev. Benson Ng’ang’a who serves with the Christian Foundation Fellowship Kenya urged Christians in America to remain firm in their faith, and to call a spade a spade. He said in America there was a tendency to be politically correct so that everything was given a label of some sought. “When your child misbehaves, do not say he or she has issues. Call sin what it is. Homosexuality is a sin. As Christians we cannot call it anything else.”

Rev. Benson Ng’ang’a graduated from the Bethany (then Pinecrest) Bible Training Center in Albany, USA, and returned back to Kenya to answer the call of God “to preach the message of hope.”

Rev. Ng’ang’a travels widely in Kenya ministering in universities, colleges, and high schools.He is currently visiting the USA to promote his recently published book, “5 Sins That Cause Premature Death,” and to raise funds for his ministry that is in need of equipment. He was accompanied by his mother who is also a minister in Mombasa, Pastor Martha Ng’ang’a.

The revival was graced with the presence of Pastor John Kilonzo of International Ministries, Pastor Nahashon Mbugua, Pastor Joseph Karanja of Rehoboth Harvest Ministries in Allentown, PA, and Pastor Steven Kamau of the Newlife Worship Center in Bear, Delaware.

The worship session was led by Phyllis Mwangi assisted by singers from Maryland, and Baltimore including EverlyneAbuki, and Harriet Abuki. Gospel musicians and recording artists Mercy Agnes from Maryland, and JenifferJuma from Delaware also attended and performed. The three day event was attended by people from Pennsylvania, Texas, the Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and some visitors from Kenya.

The recently elected KCFA Philadelphia Chapter officials were introduced. They included; NjorogeMuchiri (Chairman), Walter Mwaria (Vice-Chairman), Joab Magara (Secretary), Charles Kariuki (Vice Secretary), Wilson Njiru (Treasurer), Anne Waita (Women’s Ministry Coordinator), Hanna Kemoi (Assistant Women’s Ministry Coordinator), Stephen Ngaruiya (Men’s Ministry Coordinator), Phyllis Mwangi (Praise and Worship Coordinator), Naomi Ng’ang’a (Assistant Praise and Worship Coordinator), Ronald Mwangi (Youth Ministry Leader), and Lucy Ng’ang’a (Children’s Ministry Leader).

For comments or to add to this conversation, click here >>>