Contributions of the National Independent Church of Africa to Socioeconomic Development in Kibugu Parish, Embu County, Kenya
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Date
2020-09
Authors
M’arimi, Wilfred Mwenda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The growing interest by scholars on the role of the Church in transformation of the society
prompted this study to investigate the contribution of the National Independent Church of
Africa (NICA) to socio-economic development in Kibugu Parish, Embu County, Kenya.
Specifically, the study discussed the Biblical and pastoral basis guiding involvement in
socio-economic development besides examining how NICA carries out socio-economic
activities in the study area. Further, the study identified the challenges and the strategies
adopted by NICA to overcome them. The study was justified by the need to find out how
NICA fulfils Jesus’ mission of being the healer, comforter and feeder of the hungry by
contributing to their social and economic development. It is hoped that the study findings
will assist faith-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other religious groups
whose aim is to engage in sustainable community development in rural areas. The study’s
conceptual framework was drawn from the Structural Functionalism Theory of Religion.
This theory holds that society is composed of various institutions such as religion which
play the role of social control, cohesion, provide meaning and purpose to life. In this
respect, the study used the theory to look at how NICA contributes to transforming the
lives of Christians from a state of disempowerment to socio-economic empowerment. The
researcher used the descriptive case study design because it intensively and exhaustively
investigates the social unit. Purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to
select a sample size of 124 respondents from a target population of 371. Qualitative data
from the respondents was obtained using focused group discussions (FGD) and interview
schedules while questionnaires were used in gathering quantitative information. The
researcher adhered to ethical considerations while gathering responses from the
informants. Collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics, narratives, and
verbatim responses. Then it was coded and processed using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS). From the obtained data, the findings of this study revealed that
NICA Parish engages in socio-economic development through sponsoring education,
nurturing talents, extending love as well as praying and paying medical bills for the sick in
hospital. Furthermore, the study revealed that NICA has no schools, vocational training
institutions and hospitals in the area of study. Lack of adequate funds and long period of
stay of a pastor in one Parish were among the challenges facing the Parish. The findings
further suggests that NICA lacked a clear strategic plan that is critical in outlining her
vision and goals. Despite the challenges, NICA’s efforts and commitment to changing the
socio-economic welfare of people in the study area is commendable. This study
recommended that the Church should formulate a clear strategic plan and have a long-term
plan of establishing its own educational and health institutions. The strategic plan will
enable the Church to understand her weaknesses, strengths, area where it has potential and
the threats to its socio-economic development. Besides, NICA should organise seminars
and workshops to educate the believers on better and modern farming practices as a way
of economically empowering them.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Religious Studies) of Kenyatta University. September, 2020
Keywords
National Independent Church, Africa, Socioeconomic Development, Kibugu Parish, Embu County, Kenya