Kenyans are glued to their screens after a hard-hitting report raised serious doubts about Owuor’s HIV miracle claims. TV47’s special investigation, titled “Divine or Deceptive?”, looked closely at stories from Prophet David Owuor’s Ministry of Repentance and Holiness, where followers say they’ve been cured of the virus through prayer alone.
The probe kicked off after Owuor’s massive crossover crusade in Nakuru last December. Thousands packed the event, and the prophet announced several people had been healed of serious illnesses, including HIV/AIDS.
He even claimed medical tests backed it up. But TV47 decided to check for themselves, tracking down some of those who shared their testimonies on stage.
One big case involved Peter Oyan. He told the crowd he tested positive back in 2012 at Rumuruti District Hospital and stayed on treatment until attending the crusade in 2013. Prayers fixed him, he said.
When reporters visited the hospital, though, staff found no record of him ever being a patient there. The unique number on his card? It belonged to a woman from another area. Doctors said straight out – no evidence he was ever diagnosed or treated for HIV.
Another story came from 27-year-old Rebecca Mose. She insisted a message from the prophet healed her without even attending a meeting. Experts from NASCOP, the national AIDS control body, said her account didn’t line up with how testing and treatment work. Guidelines are clear – you can’t just stop meds based on faith claims without proper checks.
Prophet Owuor sat down for a late-night interview with TV47 to push back. He stood firm, saying his ministry uses top labs, even international ones.
He pointed to Millicent Awino, who supposedly tested negative in South Africa after prayers. No documents were shown on air, but he insisted everything checks out.
Things got weirder after the chat. Someone from the ministry wired KSh 20,000 to each crew member, calling it a “love offering from the Lord”.
TV47 quickly sent the money back, saying journalists can’t accept gifts during investigations. The church later asked why return a blessing, insisting it wasn’t meant to sway anyone.
Health officials aren’t sitting quiet. They’ve launched probes into doctors who supposedly confirmed these healings, warning fake claims put lives at risk.
When people ditch antiretrovirals thinking they’re cured, the virus comes roaring back — sometimes fatally. One heartbroken mother shared how her daughter stopped treatment after a similar story and didn’t make it.
Followers remain split. Many stick by the prophet, packing his events and sharing personal wins. Others, including former members, call it misleading.
Clips from the report keep circulating online, with heated debates in comments. Some praise TV47 for asking tough questions; others accuse them of attacking faith.
This isn’t the first time Owuor’s big promises have drawn eyes. His crusades pull huge crowds, and testimonies of the blind seeing or the lame walking keep people coming. But medical experts repeat: HIV has no cure yet. Faith can help coping, they say, but verified treatment saves lives.
The investigation has stirred up bigger talks about religion, health, and where to draw lines. As officials dig deeper, more stories might surface. For now, “Divine or Deceptive?” has Kenyans questioning what they see at those massive rallies. Prophet Owuor’s ministry carries on, but the doubts linger loud.
