Mary Akatsa

Mary Sinaida Akatsa
Born1964 (1964)
Ebusiralo, Bunyore
Died26 October 2024 (aged 59–60)
Burial place
Kawangware
OccupationGospel Minister
SpouseFrancis Akatsa

Mary Sinaida Akatsa (1964 – 26 October 2024) was a Kenyan Pentecostal minister. She was a self-proclaimed "prophetess" and the founder of the Jerusalem Church of Christ.

Early life, marriage and family

Akatsa was born in 1964 at Ebusiralo village in Bunyore in the current Vihiga county, Western Kenya.[unreliable source?] Her parents were Stanley Jogoo and Veronica. Akatsa's mother died in childbirth and she was raised by her maternal grandmother. Akatsa begun schooling at Itabalya primary school. She only studied up to the third grade and dropped out of school. Akatsa was employed as a house-help on a farm in Kikuyu and later married Francis Akatsa.

Ministry

In 1985, Akatsa founded the Jerusalem Church of Christ. She enforced discipline among her congregants by use of a cane. Akatsa claimed to be able to heal the sick, the lame and those struggling with infertility. Akatsa remained active into the 2010s.

Later life

Akatsa died from health complications on 26 October 2024. She was buried at her church in November 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 Nandi O.M.Jacob (1993). The Jerusalem Church of Christ: A Prophet-Healing Independent Church in Kenya. (MA Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya). p. 39
  2. 1 2 3 Mwadosho, Shillah (2024-10-28). "Mary Akatsa: Maisha na Nyakati za Nabii wa kike wa Nairobi Aliyemleta "Yesu" Kawangware - Tuko.co.ke". kiswahili.tuko.co.ke (in Swahili). Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  3. ↑ Mwaura, Philomena Njeri (2007). "Gender and Power in African Christianity: African Instituted Churches and Pentecostal Churches". In Kalu, Ogbu (ed.). African Christianity: An African story. Africa World Press. p. 417. ISBN 1592215807.
  4. ↑ "Prophetess Akatsa leads 'miracle' march". The Standard. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  5. ↑ Kweyu, Collins. "Self proclaimed prophetess Mary Akatsa is dead". The Standard. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  6. ↑ "Life and times of Mary Akatsa, the controversial 'prophetess' who would beat up her followers". Daily Nation. 2024-11-02. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  7. ↑ "'Prophetess' Mary Akatsa buried in church compound to keep off land grabbers". Daily Nation. 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2026-06-29.