MPANGO WA KANDO’ (MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS) AND THE CHURCH: A PASTORAL APPROACH WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO JESUS TOUCH CHURCH, KILIFI COUNTY

Abstract

This study sought to investigates the response of Jesus Touch Church to ‘Mpango Wa Kando’ (marital unfaithfulness) in Kilifi County from a critical pastoral approach. It was motivated by the fact that ‘Mpango Wa Kando’ a common reference for extra marital affairs in the region, was on the rise in spite social challenges facing the church. The study therefore was guided by four main objectives;- a)to establish causes of marital unfaithfulness in Jesus Touch Churches in Kilifi County from a pastoral perspective, b.) to identify challenges brought about by such affairs in Jesus Touch Churches in the area c.) to establish how Jesus Touch Churches has responded to the challenges brought about by ‘Mpango Wa Kando,’ and d.) to critically reflect on the relevance of Jesus Touch Church response to the challenges. In an attempt to address these objectives the study utilized both primary and secondary data. The main source of primary information was oral interviews and surveys. Through snow ball sampling technique fifty one respondents were involved in the study. These include the clergy/pastors, church elders, counselees/victims of ‘Mpango Wa Kando’ and church members. In secondary data, resource materials such as books, journals, magazines, Newspapers and archival materials were analyzed with particular attention being paid to their applicability to the study. This was corroborated with in-depth interviews with the clergy and victims of ‘Mpango wa Kando.’ The collected data was examined in details and themed in the light of the research questions and objectives. The study found marital unfaithfulness or ‘Mpango Wa Kando’ are caused by several factors that stretch from socio-economic to cultural. It came out clearly that cultural practice such as payment of mallu among the mijikenda community has led to increase in extra marital affairs in Kilifi County. The study also established that JTC’s response to ‘Mpango Wa Kando’ has been lukewarm due to inadequate theological training of pastors. Equally, the church family teachings were questionable as there was no specific training on the subject. vi In conclusion, the study argues for an intergrated approach in response to marital related cases.