Christianity in Kenya has a long history, with the first missionaries arriving in the 15th century. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in Kenya, but there are also many other churches, including Protestant churches, African initiated churches, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The first Christians to visit East Africa were Vasco da Gama and his crew, including Roman Catholic missionaries, in 1498. He did not, however, leave any of these in East Africa and the next missionary we hear about is Francis Xavier, the pioneer missionary, on his way to India, who had talks with Muslim leaders in Malindi in 1542. In 1564 the Portuguese Viceroy of India ordered that the gospel be preached around Mombasa and three years later an Augustinian monastery was established there.
Fort Jesus, with its Christian name, was begun in 1592 by the Portuguese, who occupied the town intermittently for the next century and a half. In 1597 the Augustinian friars at Mombasa claimed that they had 600 African converts, including slaves, Swahilis and Bantu people from the interior – among them the exiled King of Pemba.
Check out this brief account of Nairobi’s Nasra Eastate.
Nasra estate on Spine Road off Kangundo road plays no host to churches for fear of air pollution.
As you enter the estate you are greeted with one thing loud silence. The gates entering each court are always closed.Concerning air pollution, churches are prohibited in the Nasra estate.The Estate can be conveniently accessed by Matatu (Public Transportation) and is situated near Naivas. Within the gated community, there are a few small courts.
Multiculturalism is a blessing and not a curse in this homeland ranging from Sudanese, Somali’s and few Kenyans.
“It would have been a drab world if we were all the same” this is a feeling associated with Nasra.
“I feel great and privileged to be here although I know it is a challenge. A generally happy atmosphere prevails which makes you feel relaxed. I moved from Umoja Innercore. The plot I was staying in was surrounded with six churches. It was hell. You could not sleep on Fridays and Sundays. I couldn’t stay indoors because of noise,” resident Pillard Muzembi said.
Another tenant said the estate lacks social amenities like churches and pubs inside the courts. The only amenity are schools and hospitals. One has to move to the edge of the courts along spine road or move to the neighbouring estates. “You have to do your shopping outside the estate”, laments Lucy Kalegi.
“We love the cool surroundings, but we still need to have a place to worship near us where we can access on foot. Now I can’t walk over two kilometers to reach church. When I become stinking rich, ill move to Sossian (a nearby estate) where I can access church easily,” said Nelly Witava.
When contacted, the estate management said, “the estate is a controlled area and in the initial plan only Nairobi Christian Church was allowed to put up a church. No one is supposed to build a church inside the estate because of noise pollution”.The said church is at the far end next to Mama Lucy Hospital and no other church was allowed inside the estate
By Standard