Missionaries deploy the gospel to tame banditry, insecurity

Alarmed by the state of insecurity in the troubled Kerio Valley, a group of missionaries are now using religion to unite warring communities.

The Rock Church missionaries are implementing a number of projects in the area that has faced neglect for decades following incessant attacks.

Led by Timothy Cowin, founder and lead pastor of The Rock Church in St Louis, Missouri, they are hopeful that the gospel, alongside development, will restore peace along the common borders of West Pokot and Turkana counties and areas bordering Uganda.

“We go to remote areas where there is little evangelism. These areas are the epicentres for violence and unrest between communities,” said Dr Cowin. 

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According to the missionaries, a number of cattle rustlers are turning into peace envoys and gospel ministers as the initiative gathers pace.

Bishop Richard Mutuwa of the Rock Church of Africa also emphasised the importance of education in the process.

"We are using education as a tool to deal with cultural and livelihood issues and mindset change. We have realised a semblance of peace in the region," he said.