In December 2025, Nakuru City came to a near standstill as thousands of worshippers gathered for a crossover crusade organised by the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church, led by self-proclaimed prophet Dr David Owuor.
The crusade, one of several the prophet has held in Nakuru over the years, drew massive crowds, with followers hailing him as a “mighty man of God.” At the end of the multi-day event, Owuor claimed that several attendees had been miraculously healed of critical illnesses, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, blindness, deafness and muteness.
According to the ministry, a group of medical doctors present at the crusade confirmed some of the alleged healings an assertion that immediately sparked public debate and raised concern among sections of government and the medical community.
TV47 investigation begins
Following the crusade, TV47 embarked on an extensive investigative journey to independently verify the claims of miraculous healing made during the event.
The investigation led reporters to the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church in Nanyuki, Laikipia County a location that has repeatedly surfaced in testimonies of alleged healings, particularly involving HIV/AIDS.
One such case involved Peter Oyan, a man who publicly claimed he had been healed of HIV through prayers by Prophet Owuor.
Oyan told TV47 that he was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2012 at Rumuruti District Hospital and that he remained on treatment until 2013, when he attended the Nakuru revival crusade.
He claimed that following prayers, he experienced complete healing, later testing HIV-negative at multiple health facilities, including after undergoing a DNA PCR test.
Medical records raise questions
To verify Oyan’s claims, TV47 conducted independent checks at the health facilities he mentioned, including Rumuruti District Hospital.
Hospital records reviewed by TV47 showed no evidence that Peter Oyan was ever registered or treated as an HIV-positive patient at the facility.
Medical staff confirmed that the unique patient number Oyan presented did not belong to him. Further scrutiny revealed that the CCC number on the card Oyan claimed as his belonged to a female patient residing in Muhetetu, Laikipia County.
Doctors at Rumuruti District Hospital told TV47 that Oyan was never diagnosed with HIV at the facility and emphasised that HIV remains a complex virus requiring scientifically validated antiretroviral therapy for management.
Further concerns arose after examination of the CCC card and other documents presented by Oyan and the church. Medical experts pointed out visible alterations, cancellations and signs of tampering on the documents.
At a second facility where Oyan claimed to have tested HIV-negative, hospital officials told TV47 that the documents he presented were fake and did not originate from their institution.
A third facility, Karen Hospital in Nairobi where Oyan claimed he was tested HIV-negative in May 2014 confirmed that his name did not appear in their system.
Medical professionals interviewed during the investigation concluded that there was no credible evidence to support the claim that Oyan was ever HIV-positive or that he was cured through any intervention linked to the ministry.
Another healing claim under scrutiny
Another case examined involved 27-year-old Rebecca Mose, who claimed she was healed of HIV/AIDS through Prophet Owuor’s ministry not at a crusade, but via a message sent to the prophet.
Rebecca initially stated that she was healed through a text message her mother sent to Owuor in December 2024.
When asked to produce the message, she later said the healing came through an email sent by her pastor, raising further questions.
Rebecca also claimed that her HIV patient file had been closed by the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP).
However, NASCOP officials told TV47 that the agency does not close patient files and that once a person tests HIV-positive, they are advised to begin treatment rather than undergo repeated testing.
Despite these inconsistencies, Rebecca’s case was among those publicly endorsed by two Kenyan medical professionals during the Nakuru crusade — endorsements that later went viral under the hashtag Science Bows.
Human cost and tragic outcomes
TV47 also spoke to a woman from a remote village in Laikipia County, identified as Mary Njoroge (not her real name), who said she took her daughter to the ministry seeking healing.
According to her account, after multiple visits and repeated healing proclamations, her daughter’s condition worsened.
She said her faith in the church led her to abandon medical treatment — a decision she believes contributed to her daughter’s death.
Disillusioned, she left the church, describing the experience as one marked by betrayal, deception and irreversible loss.
Official responses and public health concerns
On January 3, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) issued a statement expressing serious concern over claims of healing for chronic and life-threatening conditions such as HIV and cancer without verifiable medical documentation.
The council warned that unsubstantiated claims by health professionals could mislead vulnerable individuals and discourage them from seeking proven medical treatments.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also questioned faith-based healing narratives associated with Prophet Owuor, cautioning against messages that undermine conventional medicine and patient safety.
In response, Owuor maintained that his healings are medically proven and said his verification systems are stricter than those of the government.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) distanced itself from claims of miracle cures made by Owuor, urging Kenyans to be cautious of unverified assertions. Owuor dismissed the NCCK’s position.
A history of controversy
Controversial miracle claims are not new to Owuor’s ministry. In 2017, he claimed to have resurrected a woman known as Mama Rosa from West Pokot a claim that drew nationwide attention. Mama Rosa later died on January 22, 2019.
The prophet has also faced past allegations involving property disputes, lifestyle questions, and criticism from former church insiders, including claims by whistleblower Nelson Amenya, who has publicly distanced himself from the ministry.
Faith, medicine and accountability
Kenya’s deeply religious society continues to grapple with the intersection of faith, medicine and accountability.
With more than 4,000 registered churches serving millions of believers, religious scholars warn that unchecked claims and lack of oversight can expose vulnerable followers to harm.
As debates rage on, health experts and regulators continue to emphasise one message: faith should not replace scientifically proven medical care especially for chronic and life-threatening conditions.
