Legio Maria defies anti-modern medicine stance, builds hospital

The church, led by Archbishop Raphael Otieno, said the decision was made due to pressure from the new generation of church members who discovered the importance of medical services even after prayers. The Archbishop urged churches to make it a habit of constructing health centres so that members can access medical services close to home.

"There are diseases that, no matter how much we pray, require the intervention of physicians." Most people are unaware that the Legion Maria Church encouraged people to visit hospitals, according to Arch Bishop Joseph Abuto, the church's Administration Secretary.

"This was a challenge that forced the government to closely monitor the church," he added. "People were concerned that patients would be removed from the hospital in order to attend church and be healed through prayer."

At the time of laying the foundation stone, the church had raised Sh8 million for the project.