This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 2, 2018, a wedding ceremony was set to take place at Mizpah House of Prayer Church in Bahati, Nakuru County, but it never happened. Apostle Jesse Karanja, the officiating pastor, canceled the wedding at the last minute, leaving the couple, Joyce Waithera and Paul Waithaka, and their families in shock.
According to Henry Kamau, Waithera's father, the family and friends of the groom arrived at the church from his home in Gilgil around 10am, expecting a great day. However, they noticed that nothing much was going on, except for the local choir singing.
Kamau said the preacher demanded that Waithera and Waithaka go for a medical checkup and bring him the results before he could conduct their wedding. The couple returned to the church at noon with the results, but the preacher kept them waiting for another two hours, then demanded that they go for another test.
He specified the particular hospital he wanted the test done, which the couple obliged, hoping it would end the torment. Prior to the wedding, the couple had gone for another medical test, and the results were submitted to the preacher at 4pm.
He called the couple, their parents, and close friends to his office, opened the results, but said he did not understand everything the doctor had written. He then demanded that a health practitioner be brought to the church to explain what he couldn’t understand in the report.
As the sun was setting, the congregation grew impatient and threatened to break into the preacher’s office – but the man of the cloth called in the police, who rounded up several guests and bundled them into their vehicle. Those arrested, including the couple’s relatives, were released later without any charges.
Minutes after 6pm, Apostle Karanja announced that he would not officiate at the wedding as it was too late. The congregation was left speechless and started dispersing. The reception was at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI), where hundreds of guests were already waiting.
Over 300 seats had been arranged, and the budget was over Sh1 million. Daniel Kamau, a brother of the bride, said it was a waste, and the preacher’s behavior clearly showed he was not willing to join the two in marriage.
During yesterday’s Sunday service, Apostle Karanja said the couple did not meet the standards set out by the church for him to officiate at their wedding. ‘Our church has set standards that must be met as far as birth, marriage, and burial are concerned. The standards are not subject to discussion,’” he said.
