Big Interview

By Frankline Okutoyi

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga accepted God and got saved in 2007. He is currently the bishop at Amazing Grace International Church, Nairobi.

Before that, he spent several years in police cells charged with being the leader of the outlawed Mungiki sect. He answered questions of pupils from Wankan Academy in Ruiru.

Billy Njoroge, nine years old

Between (Kamlesh) Pattni’s and Margaret Wanjiru’s church, which one would you prefer as your best church?

Maina: I believe all churches that preach and worship the Lord are good and the only difference is buildings. I like associating myself with different churches because I believe Christ is within a person, not in church buildings.

Ivy Njeri, nine years old

How did you become a leader of the Mungiki?

Maina: Through desires of motivation and determination, which I believe, every young person undergoes at some age. By then, I could not differentiate between good and bad desires. I found myself honouring bad desires instead of good ones.

Melvin Njenga, nine years old

What made you realise that it was against God’s wish to be a Mungiki leader that you later abandoned them?

Maina: Reading more verses in the Bible and understanding it, made me realise that what I was doing was wrong. I used to believe that my god lived on Mt Kenya and used to pray facing the mountain. However, after understanding the Bible, I only worship the real God.

Victoria Njeri, nine years old

Why do you think people fear Mungiki? Is it because they kill?

Maina: I don’t think people fear Mungiki because when I was its leader, we never killed. To me, Mungiki word meant "gatherings". I believe those who kill others are criminals.