This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Published on June 26, 2020, a report by Shahidi Hub Africa highlighted the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on churches in Kenya. The crisis has led to radical shifts in how faithful get spiritual nourishment, with many churches struggling to stay afloat financially.
According to the report, church offerings and tithes have dropped by a staggering 85% as most institutions face dire financial crisis. The survey, conducted in 33 counties and involving 161 churches, 429 church leaders, revealed that 79.2% of the churches have managed to transition to online services, while 20.7% have not.
Dr. Elkanah Cheboi, the director of Shahidi Hub Africa, noted that some church members have continued to contribute towards church activities. However, he added that some churches are finding it hard to pay leased or hired venues and salaries to staff, while also financing outreach services.
Financial constraints, poor network connectivity, and lack of smartphones topped the reasons why some churches are yet to transition online. The financial crisis has hit church leaders and pastors hard, with many failing to earn salaries due to dwindling resources and new costs associated with online technology.
Administratively, 20% of church leaders think it has become hard to mobilize their members for any cause. William Koros, a member of the research team, noted that at least 13% of churches on leased/rented property are finding it hard to raise rent.
On readiness of churches to reopen, the report indicates that 79% of pastors have put in place measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. However, 21% of church leaders and pastors recommended that churches should remain closed until the pandemic is eliminated or the curve flattened.
Rev. Joseph Kitur noted that children below 11 years, the elderly, and teenage groups are mostly neglected, with 64%, 61%, and 30% respectively not well-versed with online platforms or lacking smartphones.
