PHOTO CAPTION: CITAM Presiding Bishop Calisto Odede Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM), a Kenyan Pentecostal church that runs a wide business conglomerate targeting the urban populace, continues to thrive financially.
Known to be among, if not, the wealthiest religious groups in the country, the church once again records an increase in its income for the year 2021.
From an excerpt of their latest financial report currently circulating on social media, their earnings grew to Sh2.53 billion, up from Sh1.96 billion in 2020.
A whopping 29% increase, despite the "tough" post-pandemic times we live in.
In the report, the CITAM administration attributes the flourishing returns to a host of factors; but mainly, the relaxation of the ban on social gatherings, which proved to be a major activity booster across their multiple cash dragnets.
The reopening of hotels and eateries, as well as higher student enrollment levels in their string of schools, saw their business units rake in Sh684 million, up from Sh252 million in 2020.
On the side of "Sadaka", things do not look bad at all.
Income from CITAM Assemblies recorded a growth of 9%, which they say was a result of the significant increase in tithe and offerings, majorly in "new and young assemblies".
The highest earner was Citam Valley Road, which gathered slightly above Sh335m up from Sh326m the previous year. With such good figures, it is no wonder many of their branches are always on a spending spree.
Just recently, CITAM Bishop Calisto Odede unveiled a mega modern evangelism truck, reportedly worth Sh27m. As we've noted on this blog before , such earnings just confirm the poorly kept secret that churches are some of the most profitable organizations in Kenya. READ MORE: Citam Church Greed Exposed It is a travesty of morality when the church continues to bury its head in the sand.
The church controls a lot of people, and as such, must be at the forefront of fighting this pandemic.
Instead, the modern Kenyan church has given out pay bills for collecting tithes. READ MORE: TRIBALISM AND NEPOTISM IN CITAM ASSEMBLIES During the time of great Reverend Timothy Njoya, the government was put on its toes by the state.
More clergymen suffered at the hands of Daniel Moi, some even lost their lives.
This is how far we have fallen.