Nairobi is experiencing a church boom, with hundreds of places of worship emerging across the city, particularly in low-income areas. This rapid proliferation sparks debate about whether these churches are purely spiritual refuges, businesses, or responses to poverty and political maneuvering.

• Over 300 churches occupy a two-acre stretch in Uthiru’s Kosovo area, highlighting the density of religious institutions.
• Notable figures like Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura attended a recent religious gathering, underscoring the strong link between politics and the pulpit.
• The 2023 Shakahola tragedy, where over 450 people died in a starvation cult, exposed the dangers of unregulated religious movements and reignited calls for government oversight.