Modern Akorino Church: Now they have sex scandals, single mothers and nasty divorces

John Gichira Gichini pleaded guilty to defiling his underage daughters. [PHOTO: JANE MUGAMBI]

The devil is using technology to corrupt members

The 69-year-old added that erosion of mentorship down generations led to vices including alcoholism and "eating pork or mutura was a great sin" and that "the devil is using technology to mess with our members."

Bishop Michael Njagi, the chair of Akorino in Nyeri County concurs, arguing that while people have been changed by improved economic status, the tenets of faith and laws guiding their faith have not changed and that "access to smart phones and the internet have led to more visibility."

Bishop Nandi adds that while mistakes can be corrected, sinning is a grave matter and while stray members are disciplined "suspension and expulsion from the church are not announced." Pastor David Mwangi, the Akorino chair in Mt Kenya region said the Akorino youth are facing different challenges from their grandparents through education, westernization, exposure and attendant financial stability.

Joseph Karuk, the treasurer of the Akorino in Nyeri, says those spoiling the image of their faith are members who left but still continue associating with the sect.

This view is expressed by Rose Wanjiru who blames disrespect and waning dedication to religion as "most members of the Akorino sect have abandoned the laws that governs us. A large number of our members are wolves in sheep's skin."