DNK International By Our Correspondent,Kisumu
The death of Father John Juma Pesa on May 28, 2026, has marked the end of an era for one of Kenya’s most influential and controversial religious leaders.
For more than five decades, Pesa stood at the center of a religious movement that attracted thousands of followers, particularly in Luo Nyanza, while simultaneously drawing scrutiny from authorities, human rights groups and religious critics.
Father Pesa was the founder and spiritual head of the Holy Ghost Coptic Church of Africa, an independent Christian denomination he established in 1971 after breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church.
The church’s headquarters, located in Mamboleo along the Kisumu–Kakamega Highway, grew into a major religious center that attracted worshippers from across the country seeking spiritual healing, deliverance and guidance.
As the church’s founder and archbishop, Pesa exercised significant influence over its operations and teachings.
Under his leadership, the church expanded beyond Kisumu to establish branches in several counties, including Nairobi, Kisii, Migori and Kakamega.
Its structure revolved around a centralized leadership system comprising priests, nuns and church workers who served under the authority of the archbishop.
Despite maintaining a highly visible public ministry, Father Pesa kept much of his personal life away from the spotlight, and little was publicly known about his marital status and family affairs.
Instead, public attention remained focused on his religious activities and the church’s growing influence across western Kenya.
In Luo Nyanza, particularly in Kisumu County, Pesa commanded a loyal following and was widely regarded as one of the region’s most influential religious figures.
His ministry appealed to many believers seeking faith based solutions to personal, social and health challenges.
Over the years, the church became a prominent institution within the religious landscape of the region and a significant voice in community affairs.
His influence extended beyond religion into social and public life, bringing him into contact with prominent political leaders, including former Prime Minister and ODM leader the late Raila Odinga and President William Ruto when he was still deputy President.
While Pesa generally avoided active participation in partisan politics, he maintained cordial relations with the late ODM leader and other leaders from the region.
His stature within the Luo community often placed him among respected opinion leaders whose views carried considerable weight.
Throughout his ministry, Pesa also interacted with religious leaders from various denominations across the country.
Although some mainstream church leaders questioned aspects of his teachings and practices, many acknowledged his role in building one of Kenya’s most successful indigenous church movements.
However, his long career was not without controversy as DNK-International established.
The church repeatedly attracted the attention of authorities over allegations concerning the treatment and accommodation of vulnerable individuals at its facilities.
In 2023, a multi-agency government operation at the church headquarters uncovered four graves within the compound, triggering national debate and investigations.
Church officials maintained that the graves belonged to deceased nuns who had served the church, but the discovery intensified public scrutiny of the institution.
Supporters viewed Father Pesa as a gifted spiritual healer who transformed lives through prayer, faith and rehabilitation efforts.
Critics, on the other hand, argued that some of the church’s practices warranted greater oversight and accountability.
These contrasting perspectives followed him throughout his ministry and have continued to shape public discussion following his death.
With his passing, Kenya loses a cleric who inspired deep devotion among followers while remaining one of the country’s most debated religious figures.
His legacy is likely to endure through the church he founded, the thousands of believers he influenced and the lasting impact he had on the religious and social fabric of Luo Nyanza and beyond.
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🗓️ [DNK-International@May 31,2026]
