This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Kenyan scholar of religion and African Christianity, Professor John Mbiti, died in Switzerland on Sunday, October 6, 2019. The academic fraternity is in mourning following his demise.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Professor Makau Mutua joined other Kenyans to mourn the death of the renowned theologian and philosopher, recalling his contribution towards African religions.
Professor Mbiti was born on November 30, 1931, and studied beyond Kenya, earning his Doctorate in 1963 at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He commenced his teaching career at Makerere University in 1964, where he taught religion and theology for ten years.
As a junior lecturer at Makerere University, Prof Mbiti challenged Christian inferences that traditional African religious ideas were "demonic and anti-Christian" through his first work, African Religions and Philosophy in 1969.
His groundbreaking work earned him both praise and criticism. Raila Odinga tweeted, "His book was an eye-opener and groundbreaking work. Condolences to his family. May his soul Rest In Peace."
Professor Mbiti published other major works, including Concepts of God in Africa (1970), New Testament Eschatology in an African Background (1971), and Introduction to African Religion and The Prayers of African Religion both in 1975.
He became the first African to translate the Bible into the Kamba language and was appointed Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland in 1974.
Professor Mbiti was ordained a priest of the Anglican Church in 1980 and became a parish minister in the reformed church of Bergdorf. He settled in Switzerland with his family and lectured at the University of Bern.
He will be commemorated as Kenya's greatest scholar in religion and his convictions in African Christianity.
