Heritage Shrines in Vihiga
Chabuga: The Genesis of African Divine Church
The upturn of modern Christianity in Vihiga County, largely undermining and botching the traditional African religious and cultural traditions, also attracted plenty of attention, allegiance, and defiance from the native communities. The African Independent Church (AIC) was the leading church that grew rapidly in Vihiga. It grew fast as an antithesis of colonialism to which locals felt animosity.
In opposition to this fresh wave of Christianity, the African Divine Church (ADC) was launched in 1978 inspired by the Nomiya Luo Church, as the faith for free Africa. Much to the surprise, dismay, and dissent of the missioners and colonial government, the indigenous African Divine Church grew poste-haste. This little unassuming house in Gamalenga Village well-known to many of the locals was a fundamental fountainhead in the origination of the ADC. It was also the residence for Rev. Saul Chabuga Chamwama, the first serving Bishop of the new indigenous neo-religion, 1949 to 1970, fondly lionized as the father of African Divine Church.
In turn, his son, James Chabuga was elevated as the second ADC Bishop, 1970 to 2005. The third was Bishop John Lilege Saiya, hailing from same village as the first Archbishop of ADC. A business administrator and theologist by training, John took over office in 2005 after the death of his mentor. He launched the ADC’s first five year strategic plan 2009-2014 and its second, 2014 – 2019. The aim of these plans was to make sure that the vision of the church was adaptive and forward-looking.
The name “African Divine Church” was picked from the book of John 15:1-17 in 1950 concerning the true vine. This is because, ADC is compared to the vine tree that grows and bears fruits. Similarly ADC is meant to grow geographically and bear fruits numerically. The overall vision of ADC is to contribute, spiritual and economic empowerment of the members and the community for realization of a dignified life. ADC members believe that it has a biblical foundation hence those who break from its do not succeed. Its headquarter is also located at Gamalega.
Shrines – big and small – hold significant religious, historical, or political import and serve as symbols of identity, remembrance, and reverence. These sites also play important roles in preserving Kenya’s collective memory, fostering unity, and promoting patriotism: Places of reflection and commemoration for sacrifices and achievements made by past generations, and honored for future prosperity.
Index of National Shrines in Kenya
Baringo County - Kolloa Cross Shrine, Homa Bay County - Tom Mboya Mausoleum, Kakamega County - The Muliro Gardens, Kericho County - Gurdwara Sahib, Kericho Wagon Works, Tulwap Kipsigis Hill, Kiambu County - Travellers Chapel, Scott Watson Memorial Church, Kilifi County - Mekatilili wa Menza Shrine, Ronald Ngala Mausoleum, Kitui County - Museve Shrine, Mombasa County - The Swaminarayan Indian Temple, Johann Krapf Memorial Shrine, Nairobi County - Resurrection Garden, Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum, Mashujaa Monument, City Park, Uhuru Gardens, Nakuru County - Marian Shrine, Nandi County - Mberere Holy Springs, Kabiyet Shrine, Nyeri County - African Bible on the Ground Shrine, Dedan Kimathi Trench, The Mau Mau Post Office, Irene Nyaatha Shrine, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial, Muranga County - Wangu Wa Makeri Shrine, Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga Shrine, Tana River County - Mau Mau Hola Memorial Monument, Uasin Gishu County - Alexander Kipsang Muge Mausoleum, Wajir County - Wagalla Memorial Monument, Vihiga County - Chabuga Mausoleum
Typified by lush, green landscapes with rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls and forest, such as the much-noted Nganyi and Kaimosi Forests, which offer scenic spots for nature exploration and birdwatching, Vihiga County is famous for its agricultural productivity, especially tea and subsistence farming. Despite challenges related to population density it continues to thrive as a hotspot for farming and tourism.
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A Guide to Vihiga County
A Summa Digest of Vihiga
About Vihiga Way Back When
26 Attractions in Vihiga County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Roddy's Green Lounge, Bunyore Hills, Mbale, Kima Stone Mountain, Kima Church of God, Mwitoko Fish Farm, Kidundu Friends Church, Maragoli Hills, Mungoma Caves, Givavei Cave, Givavei Artisans, Jesus Wagevere Rock, Chabuga Mausoleum, African Divine Church, Obida Ombima Mill, Sosa Cottages, Mudete Tea Factory, Magnum Resort, Turaco Intercounty Resort, Kaimosi Forest, Kaimosi Mission Wildlife Conservancy, Kakamega Forest, Kibiri Forest, River Yala, Kichutu Gold Mine
Know More About Vihiga County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Vihiga experiences a high equatorial climate with well distributed rainfall year-round. Temperatures range between 14ºC and 32ºC.
Generally speaking, Vihiga slopes gently from west to east – with undulating hills and valleys plying streams flowing from northeast to southwest, all draining into Lake Victoria as the mouth.