Kenya’s top 6 richest churches

By Peter Ochieng

Millions of Kenyans flock to churches around the country weekly, with a view of getting hope and spiritual nourishment.

Research indicates that 33 percent of Kenyans are protestants, 20 percent are Catholics, 20 percent go to evangelical churches while 10 percent are Muslims, with less than 1 percent ascribing to Hindu and Buddhi religions respectively.

As any Pastor will gladly mention to you, giving in church is part of worship. Some churches spent tithe, offering and other forms of giving to run various enterprises, ranging from churches, to schools and media stations for sustainability.

Check out some of the richest churches in Kenya:

1. Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM)

CITAM tops the churches’ rich list from tithes, offerings and revenue from other ventures running close to Sh1.3 billion as at 31 December 2017. The church owns Hope FM, Hope TV, CITAM Schools, CITAM Catering and CITAM Kadolta Resort, with the establishments earning most of the revenue for the church.

Like the CITAM churches - about 30 branches, CITAM schools are spread across the country, attracting learners from well to do families.

2. The Nairobi Chapel

An analysis of the church’s audited financial statement indicates that it collected Sh632.3 million as at 31 December 2017, compared to Sh434.6 million in 2016.

According to the statement, tithes and offerings accounted for Sh355.7 million in 2017 up from Sh272.2 million in 2016.

3. All Saints Cathedral

The largest Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) church in Kenya. It reported a total income of Sh241.3 million compared to Sh223 million in 2016, an increase of 8.3 percent.

4. Mavuno Church

The church reported a total income of Sh250.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2017 down from Sh258.4 million the previous year.

However, the reduction did not strike it off the church’s rich list. Income from tithes and offerings stood at Sh229.8 million in 2017, slightly lower from Sh236.3 million in 2016.

5. Nairobi Baptist Church

The church’s total income stood at Sh208.6 million in 2018, up from sh190.5 million reported in 2017. Income from general offerings was Sh132 million, a growth from Sh120.8 million in 2017.

6. Coptic Orthodox Church and Seventh Day Adventist Church

With several churches across the country, the two outfits are in the top league as they pay millions of shillings to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) annually.

The Catholic church which owns schools, hospitals, and radio stations across the country is also among the richest religious outfits in the country. Other big churches in the country do not publish the audited financial statements, despite being in the rich league.

It was part of the reasons why Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana through his Religious Organizations Bill, 2024 wanted churches to be regulated.

He however withdrew the Bill in November, 2024. The Senator had proposed the establishment of the office of registrar for religious organizations such as churches, which would issue or revoke the registration of religious organizations and religious leaders.

He had also proposed a Sh5 million fine or 3-year sentence for churches and clergymen, who do not register in compliance with the law.

Eligibility for registration of religious organizations was to be supported by 25 people professing the same faith, a religious leader with a certified theology education, and a doctrinal constitution.

In the Bill, the legislature wanted religious organizations to create separate bank accounts for offerings and tithes with those for income generated from other economic activities like selling merchandise; failure to which would attract a Sh1 million fine or a 2-year prison sentence.

He wanted churches to file returns with the KRA, presenting audited accounts for the financial year, bank statements, addresses of physical location, list of religious leaders that year, and a tax exemption or clearance certificate.

The Bill was withdrawn after he held talks with clergy from the Pentecostals and Evangelicals Association.