By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in East Kenya is grappling with a major scandal that threatens to undermine its reputation for moral integrity and transparency.
Central to the controversy is Youth Director JP Maiywa, who has come under intense scrutiny for his actions surrounding the recent worldwide Pathfinder Camporee held in Gillette, USA.
Maiywa was entrusted with a significant budget of approximately 2 million Kenyan Shillings intended to support Kenyan youth participating in the Camporee.
However, allegations have surfaced accusing Maiywa of embezzling these funds for personal gain.
Instead of using the money to support the event, Maiywa allegedly pocketed the funds and chose not to attend the Camporee as a representative of the East Kenya Union Conference but he opted to be a guest speaker at the Temple of Praise Church—an organization that is not affiliated with the SDA denomination.
This church’s logo, which is visible in the event’s footage, confirms the misalignment with SDA’s official entities.
The controversy is compounded by Maiywa’s questionable health claims.
Upon returning to Kenya, Maiywa stated that he was suffering from epilepsy, which he claimed justified his absence from the camporee and his subsequent actions.
However, recent footage shows him actively preaching and engaging in public events, raising serious doubts about the validity of his health claims.
It is both baffling and troubling how someone can profess to be too ill to fulfill their duties yet manage to participate actively in preaching engagements.
This discrepancy calls into question the sincerity of his health concerns and his overall commitment to his role.
Further complicating the situation, Maiywa’s actions have led to significant dissatisfaction among the Kenyan delegates who endured subpar conditions at the camporee’s international village.
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The lack of adequate representation and support for these delegates underscores a severe lapse in leadership and accountability.
In addition to these issues, internal conflicts within the EKUC have surfaced.
Allegations have emerged that a senior leader, who is rumored to be eyeing the presidential post within the EKUC, has improperly used his influence to secure a position for his wife at the University of East Africa, Baraton, despite her lack of qualifications.
This has intensified opposition to the establishment of a proposed union and further exposed the division within the SDA Church leadership.
The leaked document from concerned members highlights the growing frustration with the current SDA Church leadership.
The document criticizes the lack of effective representation, transparency, and genuine service to the church community.
“Members are urged to pray for leaders who are truly dedicated to their roles and who prioritize the well-being of the church and its members over personal interests. As the Seventh-Day Adventist Church confronts these challenges, it is imperative that steps are taken to address these issues openly and restore faith in its leadership. The integrity of the church and the trust of its members are at stake, and only through transparent and accountable action can the organization hope to navigate this crisis and emerge stronger,” a whistleblower told Corporate Watch.