Socio-religious transformations of the New Jerusalem Church Of Tongaren, Kenya (2011-2023)

Abstract

New Religious Movements (NRMs) have been confronted with rapid social and cultural transformations which lead to rise of conflicts and struggles over collective identities. This case applies to The New Jerusalem Church (TNJC) found in Tongaren, Kenya founded by Eliud Wekesa who is identified by his followers as "Jesus" of Tongaren. The purpose of this study was to investigate the socio- religious transformations within NRMs using a case of TNJC in Kenya in the 21st century. Currently, there are different confusing explanations on the founder, origin, history and doctrines of TNJC that has led to continuous suspicion and accusations on its followers by the society. The general objective of this study was to investigate the socio-religious transformations of the New Jerusalem Church. Specifically, it sought to ascertain the following objectives: to explore the history of TNJC in Tongaren; to find out the beliefs and practices of TNJC of Tongaren and to determine the socio-religious transformations of TNJC. The study took place in Tongaren Sub County, Kenya. It was guided by the Social Movement Theory coined by Charles Tilly and Sidney Tarrow (2004) to analyze the group’s emergence and socio-transformation between 2011 and 2023 in Tongaren sub-County Bungoma, Kenya. This was a qualitative study that adopted the exploratory research design that was cross-sectional in nature. The target population was TNJC members and non- TNJC members of Tongaren, Bungoma County. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized to obtain information. Primary data was gathered from 22 key informants who were purposefully sampled for interviews and focus group discussions while secondary data was gathered from secondary literature in libraries. Collected data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis. This study found out that the emergence of TNJC movement was as a result of the call of the founder (Eliud Wekesa), religious and cultural factors. The religious factors included the need by members of TNJC for a satisfying religion while the cultural factors included the forces of globalization such as freedom of religion. The study also established that this movement had undertaken Socio-religious transformations through time in terms of dressing, marriage and family life, education, health, dietary prescriptions, economically and politically. These socio-religious transformations have impacted TNJC way of life and the larger society. The study concludes that, other than having a deep history TNJC has a variety of religious beliefs and practices. The movement has transformed its members’ way of life. To avoid suspicion and accusations from the society, this study recommends that there should be registration of NRMs by the government where their objectives must be clearly scrutinized, the society should be aided in understanding NRMs and their practices. It also recommends that NRMs among them TJNC should be given an opportunity to promote socio-religious transformations. The study will benefit the society by providing an impetus for people to understand NRMs. It will help them understand the TNJC’s founder, practices, beliefs, and its socio-religious transformation processes.