TIMOTHY JOSEPH MUIRURI: THE FIRST KENYAN PASTOR IN GOSPEL OF GOD

Today is an opportunity to examine the role of Timothy Joseph Muiruri, the first Kenyan National to serve in Gospel of God – which having began in Southern Africa was composed of Nationals from those countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, and Botswana. That is until someone called Timothy Muiruri was called by God.

It is however worth noting that Muiruri was a devoted Christian even before he joined the Church. He was an Akorino as Kenyans call them to date – as were the rest of his family. Those called Akorino are an indigenous African Church with substantial following specially around Central Kenya mostly among the Kikuyu or Agikuyu people and are famous for their white turbans (for men) and headscarves(for women). Jomo Kenyatta reminded Kenyans that the Kikuyu previously called them Aroti (dreamers) or Arathi (prophets) or “people of God”.

Muiruri’s conversion and that of the Apostle Paul were similar in some respects – for hewas not preached to by anybody. Instead, he met Baba Johane in a dream vision –who spoke to him and baptized him by laying hands and praying for him. And this is where his background as an Akorino was important. He was already familiar with the spiritual significance of visions and dreams. This happened at a time when the Gospel of God was not registered or properly established in Kenya. In those early years – even those who came to Kenya or sought to have a presence in Kenya were usually based in Tanzania. Timothy was sent to Ngong and told that they would meet there. And yes, the first place the Gospel of God operated from in Kenya was Ngong – where he was asked to go to the Church of Joshua.

BabaJohane had spoken to him saying that he was Jesus and was among people – who dressed in white like Akorino.

The miracles that God performed as Muiruri served from this point were extra-ordinary– including blind people having their sight restored, and lame people getting up and walking, there were several healings including some from allergies, and one noted case of a woman who was raised back to life from a coffin. The area of Ngong was not built up like is the case today and so the location of the Church of Joshua was visible from a distance. People coming from public transport were easily directed there. There was the Apostolic Faith Church of South Africa with a foundation stone laid by Charles Nelson in 1960. In those days there was a seminar in Mombasa that was attended by many of these holy-spirit led Churches - or rather many came to be registered as a result. They included All Faith Mission, All Nations Gospel, and Apostolic Faith. These were among the churches that emerged as a result of the Mombasa seminar. Muiruri told Joshua that Jesus had returned and he was among people dressed in white and singing hosanna.

Consequently, when the elders from the Gospel of God began to establish themselves in Kenya, Joshua testified that Timothy had spoken these words.

Timothy regularly travelled to Tanzania having registered a company called Kenya Gold and Diamonds. He went to Arusha in search of Tanzanite (found only in Tanzania)as well as other minerals including emeralds, rubies, and sapphire. It was in the process of these visits that he met and identified church members – guided by his earlier dream. All go well the details will follow someday.

Muiruri was among those who participated in the registration of the Church. Previously millions of shillings had been wasted in attempts to register. Some of the money lining people’s pockets. It was a lot of money if inflation over the years is taken into account. He was assisted by Joshua Waweru Kiarie Who was a well-known person due to some elective positions he had held. It is prudent to stop here having given an overview and even a few details.

P/S: Pastor Timothy Joseph Muiruri is the man to the right (the readers left) and Kiarie is the taller with a full black suit