Questions about how powerful religious ministries operate have once again come into focus following claims made by TV47 journalist Samira Mohammed after an in-depth investigation into Prophet David Owuor’s Repentance and Holiness Ministry.
Her account offers a behind-the-scenes look at what she describes as a demanding and uncomfortable process while working on an exposé titled “Divine or Deceptive?”, which examined claims of miraculous HIV/AIDS healings within the church.
Samira explained that the investigation took a heavy toll on her and her team, both physically and mentally.
According to her, they spent close to ten hours at the prophet’s residence during what was meant to be an interview session. The visit began at 3 pm and stretched late into the night, ending at around 1 am the following morning. Much of that time, she said, was not spent in direct conversation but watching content displayed on a large screen inside the residence.
She alleged that the screen repeatedly showed what she and her team believed were staged or unverified miracle healings.
A young man was reportedly in charge of controlling the screen, operating it under strict supervision. Samira described the experience as frustrating, saying it raised serious doubts about the authenticity of what was being presented to them.
“We arrived at his residence at 3 pm and left at around 1 am. For the larger part of the time we were there, there was a large screen with a young man controlling it, displaying what we believed to be fake miracles,” Samira said.
Beyond the interview setting, the journalist also made claims about how the ministry is structured internally. She alleged that church workers, including bishops, are supported by the ministry through housing, food, clothing, fuel, and school fees for their children, but do not receive direct salaries. According to her, this system creates a situation where leaders and workers depend heavily on the ministry for their daily needs, making it difficult for them to question authority or act independently.
Samira further claimed that competition within the church is intense, with followers seeking to get closer to the prophet in order to gain access to these benefits. She noted that the ministry includes people from respected professions such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers, suggesting that the church’s influence cuts across different levels of society.
During the investigation, Samira said her team asked for data to support claims that people had been healed of HIV/AIDS. She alleged that church leaders did not provide any figures and instead called for an internal meeting.
According to her, this raised more concerns, especially when some individuals who were to be interviewed were allegedly contacted beforehand and coached on what to say.
One of the most controversial claims from the journalist involved money allegedly sent to the TV47 crew.
Samira claimed that Prophet Owuor sent Sh 20,000 to each member of the team, describing it as a blessing from the Lord. She suggested that the gesture was meant to influence the team and discourage them from airing the investigative report.
Since the exposé aired, it has triggered wide public debate, with many people questioning the authenticity of the ministry’s healing claims and the conduct of its leadership.
As of now, the ministry has not publicly responded to the specific allegations raised in the broadcast. The discussion continues, with many waiting for clearer answers as questions around the investigation remain unresolved.