Drama at JCM as Bishop Kiengei pulls a Kibaki, insists he has only one wife

Drama unfolded at JCM Church Bypass last Sunday when Bishop Muthee Kiengei, alias Gathungu, swiftly moved to quell and dispel rumours that he had another wife besides Joy Benson.

This followed a week of online uproar and speculation about the possibility of Gathungu having a second wife or a clandestine relationship, with bloggers subtly pointing to Dama of Dama Mobiles.

The online frenzy was fueled by the apparent camaraderie between Bishop Kiengei and Dama, the JCM matron. The situation became so heated that, at one point, Dama and Rev. Joy exchanged barbs through coined songs and statements.

In an electrifying and highly anticipated sermon, which attracted a large online audience, Kenyans held their breath as they awaited Bishop Kiengei's response to the allegations. Appearing calm, Kiengei took to the podium and made it clear that he had no other wife besides Rev. Joy.

“I have one wife only, and if in the future I want another, I will come here and ask for permission from you,” Kiengei said.

The mention of Joy as his only wife was greeted with wild applause from the congregants.

“I am the bishop of this church. Feel free to worship here. I am a person with brains, and the bishop has married only one wife because I know the Bible says that a man who is serving God must have one wife and must be able to look after his family. If you are able to do so, God will give you the rest. As such, allow me to introduce to you my wife, Joy,” Kiengei said.

In a scene reminiscent of former President Mwai Kibaki’s press conference where he announced that he had only one wife after rumors suggested otherwise, Kiengei sought to dismiss allegations of an affair with Dama.

The then-president was frustrated by persistent media and online speculation that he was seeing a businesswoman, which he denied, with First Lady Lucy Kibaki by his side.

The church gave Joy a standing ovation as she walked from her seat to the main podium, greeted with cheers and hearty applause, which Kiengei complemented with laughter.

In a calm tone but displaying unease, Joy welcomed the congregants and encouraged any visitors to continue attending the church if they felt welcomed.

“Here we serve the word of God. I never thought I would be invited here, but I love you all, members of JCM, and soon we shall have a seminar,” Joy said. In an unexpected move and showing sheer bravery, Kiengei fired back at those attacking JCM and Dama specifically.

Kiengei alleged that there was a plan to fight JCM and its supporters. In a surprise twist, he asked a lady in the church to go and tell Dama not to be afraid.

“We shall not entertain people who are fighting us, and those attacking us are not members of JCM. Some people would prefer that all those supporting this church be killed if they were asked,” Kiengei said.

The bishop added that Dama had done great things for the church, and a single mistake should not be a reason for people to condemn the mobile phone spares investor.

“We are going to preach a new gospel. If someone makes a mistake, we talk to them and forgive them, but we don’t kill them. I will be a different bishop,” Kiengei said.

Earlier in the week, online speculation had given Kiengei a difficult time, prompting him to lock his Facebook page as well as those of the church. JCM pages boast a massive following, and the rumours were fueled by tension between Dama and Joy, spiced up by bloggers.

The service attracted thousands of viewers on Kiengei Live and the JCM page, all eager to follow the unfolding “chai” (gossip), while others flooded the comments section with words of encouragement and unsolicited advice for the pastor.

Among the notable online followers who commented on the riveting saga was Betty Maina, the Murang’a Woman Representative.

“Leo ninaabudu JCM Live. I have a lot of respect for people who ignore discouragements and distractions. They fall, rise, dust off, and move on like nothing ever happened. Bishop Kiengei, we are all sinners. Arise and shine; the favour of the Lord is upon you,” the woman MP wrote.

Betty went on to add:

“You have been a beacon of hope to many. For the many lives you have touched, may God redeem that kindness in your favour. May your past good deeds speak for you and deliver you from evil.”

“My brother, Bishop Kiengei, has only one wife, Rev. Joy Benson. If you want him to have two wives, go seek permission from his congregants,” wrote Wanja Nyarari, an influential netizen.

“Don’t be enslaved by human beings. A destiny connector is a bridge you don’t carry, a destiny helper is someone who is there for you unconditionally. Don’t be held captive by bridges that God places for you,” Wanja further wrote.

However, there were other opinions.

“Sometimes you meet the love of your life when you are already married, and that is why I truly understand the bond between Kiengei and Dama,” wrote one Javan Karanja.

Dama was conspicuously absent during the Sunday service. However, she was posting proverbs and coded statements on her page, where Kenyans camped, seeking interpretations, making jokes, and offering Dama unsolicited advice.

In one post that gathered a large online following, Dama wrote, “A cat that cares about its tomorrow will never eat a pregnant rat.” She called it a Subukia proverb.

Online sleuths interpreted the proverb as a warning to Kiengei, advising him to be careful and mindful of his supporters. The true meaning, however, remains known only to Dama.

Kiengei ended the day with a reconciliatory tone in one of his posts.

“Life is not about getting revenge and hurting people who hurt you. Maybe God has you reading this so you can be good to someone who doesn’t deserve it. It is easy to pay someone back, to ignore them, to make them suffer. That is not being a peacemaker. Why don’t you be the smile of God and show them the kindness they don’t deserve? Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. When you are the smile of God, He will make sure people smile back at you,” Kiengei wrote.