2024: A reflection on where God's presence is and absent in Kenya

When hundreds of youths demonstrated against punitive Finance Bill 2024 along Nairobi streets. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As 2024 draws to a close, it is fitting to pause and ask: If we were to track where God has been in Kenya this year, where would we find Him? The answer is both illuminating and unsettling, for it reveals where the light has shone and where darkness has prevailed.

No other group has embodied the presence of God this year more than Generation Z. These young Kenyans have become the nation’s unlikely prophets, speaking truths that others are too timid to voice. They have refused to be silenced or erased, boldly challenging the government of the day with a resilience that can only be described as divine. They remain “children” to their parents but, to the nation, they are saviours. In their demonstrations, from “Occupy the Church” to their persistent cries for justice, we saw God’s hand moving. Their actions echoed the ancient cries of prophets who called for justice and righteousness, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

When young people braved tear gas and batons to demand accountability, their courage was a vivid manifestation of God’s justice. They called out systemic corruption and exploitation of the marginalised, showing a moral clarity that put older generations to shame. Their resilience was a living testament to the biblical principle that truth, no matter how suppressed, will rise.

God was also present in the collapse of the controversial Adani deal, a moment that reaffirmed that justice can prevail when the truth is revealed. It demonstrated that God’s justice is not confined to a local court—when the time comes to expose falsehood, God’s wind can blow from anywhere to bring down the anomaly.

This victory was collective, driven by activists and citizens who refused to be intimidated into silence. It was a David-versus-Goliath moment, where the forces of greed were confronted and overcome by the persistent cry for transparency and fairness. God’s presence was unmistakable in this triumph, reminding the nation that integrity and perseverance can indeed overcome even the most entrenched systems of exploitation.

He was with the priest who courageously rejected offerings from state officials, refusing to be complicit in manipulation and corruption. In these moments, we saw glimpses of what it means for righteousness to stand firm against the tides of compromise. This priest’s act was more than a mere refusal; it was a declaration that the church would not be reduced to a pawn in political machinations. It was a beacon of hope for those who long to see spiritual leaders reclaim their prophetic voice. This is why the church must neither settle nor retreat—it must persistently launch its prophetic assault on every front where sin exists.

But there were many places where God was conspicuously absent. He was not in the mocking laughter of leaders who dashed the hopes of a nation expecting a government marked by integrity, only to deliver more of the same deceit and exploitation. God was not in Parliament when laws were crafted to impoverish the very people those in power had vowed to uplift. He was not with the top political leaders who made promises they never intended to fulfill, treating the electorate’s trust as a disposable commodity.

The absence of God was most glaring in the top political leaders who chose a heart of stone over a heart of flesh when faced with the cries of young people criticising faulty policies. Indifference to the plight of the masses was a stark reminder of the dangers of power divorced from accountability. God was not present in the churches that paraded carefree and disrespectful politicians as honoured fundraising guests, turning sacred spaces into platforms for power plays and empty rhetoric. God was not among the congregations that applauded as hate speech and oppression were cloaked in religious language. These moments were a tragic betrayal of the church’s mission to be the conscience of the nation.

Perhaps the most chilling absence of God was seen in the abductions of critical young voices under the guise of “political sanitisation.” These acts of suppression stand in stark contrast to the God who champions freedom and truth. God was not with the politicians who flaunted taxpayers’ money as “generosity,” nor with those who tried to force their offerings into the hands of priests who had the moral courage to refuse. Such acts were a sobering reminder of the depths to which leaders can sink when power becomes an end in itself.

This year, Kenya resembled the tragic tale of Samson, a man who did not realise the Lord had departed from him until it was too late. When God’s presence is absent, as it often was in the halls of power and even in some sanctuaries, “pepo chafu”—unclean spirits—reign. The corruption, violence, and betrayal that marked many of the year’s events were evidence of a moral and spiritual vacuum. It was a stark reminder that when God’s justice and truth are ignored, the void is quickly filled by evil spirits in the form of greed, deceit, and oppression.

Yet, all is not lost. The presence of God in the voices and actions of the youth is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that while institutions may falter, and leaders may fail, the spirit of justice and truth cannot be extinguished. These young prophets are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope. They remind us that God’s presence is not confined to buildings or titles but is found wherever there is a sincere pursuit of justice, truth, and compassion. A nation that threatens its young chokes its future.

Let us carry forward the lessons of where God was and strive to ensure His presence is not only felt but welcomed in every corner of our nation. This will require a collective commitment to integrity, accountability, and compassion. It will require the church to sustain its prophetic voice and for leaders to prioritize service over self-interest.

To build a Kenya where God’s presence is not an exception but the norm means standing with the brave individuals who refuse to compromise their principles, and fearlessly holding those in power accountable for their actions. It will mean creating spaces where truth and justice can flourish, and where the voices of the marginalized are not just heard but acted upon. The youth have shown us what is possible when courage and conviction meet. We must capture their spirit towards a nation where God’s favourable presence is unmistakable.