'Thirst for church’ forces Pokots to worship under trees in Baringo

Thirst for the 'word of God' without churches forces pokot residents in Tiaty Sub-County, Baringo County to seat on stones and worship outside under trees.

For many years Tiaty has been branded home of brazen armed bandits and cattle rustlers, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages, but today religion seems to infiltrate and act a game-changer.

"We have been worshiping outside here since the year 2002" Chepilat African Inland Church(AIC) pastor John Lokol said on Sunday.

The place is located a few kilometers off Loruk trading centre northwards of Baringo and Turkana borders.

It was around 10am when the Star stumbled on the jovial youthful worshipers and a few elders singing and praying outside under a seasonal acacia tree at Chepilat primary school grounds.

Among the worshipers were young breastfeeding mothers with their children who also braved through the choking sun to give a keen ear to the biblical sermons.

"The classrooms here at Chepilat primary are too small for the growing number of our church members so we decided to remove some desks and plastic chairs to worship under this acacia tree" pastor Lokol said.

The determined man of God who is also in-charge of two other neighbouring Katuwit and Kagir local churches, is optimistic that one day they will assemble some funds to build their own big church on their land outside the school compound.

Church elder Geoffrey Lokortepa said they had to end the service around midday to allow the faithful break for their homes early.

"I wish we had a better place to worship so we can spend more time planning our church programs well and even woe in more members," he said.

-JOSEPH KANGOGO