A whirlwind of scandal is engulfing the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in East Kenya, threatening to undermine its reputation for honesty and transparency.
JP Maiywa, Youth Director, is at the heart of this storm is Youth Director JP Maiywa, who has become the centre of a storm following the recent worldwide Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, USA.
Maiywa was given a hefty budget of around 2 million Kenyan shillings to support Kenyan youth attending the camporee, but rumours have emerged suggesting that Maiywa may have syphoned these funds for personal use.
Rather than representing the East Kenya Union Conference at the event, Maiywa allegedly used the money for his own benefit, attending the camporee as a guest speaker at the Temple of Praise Church—a group not affiliated with the SDA denomination.
The prominent appearance of this church’s logo in the event footage suggests a misalignment with SDA’s official representatives.
Maiywa’s claims about his health have also come under fire.
Upon returning to Kenya, he declared that he was suffering from epilepsy, which he said justified his absence from the camporee, but recent video footage shows him actively preaching and participating in public events, casting serious doubts on the legitimacy of his health concerns.
It’s puzzling how someone can be too ill to perform their duties yet manage to engage in preaching activities.
This mismatch raises questions about the truthfulness of his health issues and his commitment to his role.
The discontent among the Kenyan delegates is also palpable.
Many endured poor conditions at the camporee’s international village, highlighting a glaring failure in leadership and support for the delegates.
There are reports of internal strife at EKUC.
Rumours suggest that a senior leader eyeing a presidential position within the EKUC may have used his influence to secure a job for his wife at the University of East Africa, Baraton, despite her lack of qualifications.
This move has sparked opposition to the formation of a proposed union and revealed deep divisions within the leadership ranks.
A leaked document from concerned members expresses frustration with the current leadership, criticising the lack of effective representation and transparency.
