Pastor Michael Mulama Photo: Courtesy

The pastor of a church in Dandora estate alleged to have outlawed women from wearing innerwear and bras during prayer service is on the run after an irate mob stormed and demolished his church.

Reverend Michael Mulama, the senior pastor at Jesus Jubilation Centre in Dandora Phase 2, was reported on social media to have termed underpants ‘ungodly’ and banned female members of his church from attending Sunday services in panties and bras.

When the The Nairobian caught up with Pastor Mulama in his hiding place, he blamed members of a different community for spreading a lie, saying he was afraid and on the run because people he trusted with his life had conspired with his enemies to finish him.

“Since I started preaching, some people from a certain community have been unhappy with me because I am not one of their own. That’s how they conspired and bribed some women to spread the news that I told them to be attending the services without panties,” he said.

“I am an educated man. I’ve even preached abroad. Check my messages online; I am not insane to do such things,” he added.

When word of the ‘nude prayer worship’ spread, Mulama claims he tried to report the matter in the chief’s office but was attacked by goons who tied and took him to the dump site (Dandora) where they robbed him phone and Sh80,000 he had in his wallet.

Tarnish my name

He blames the local administration and his rivals for conspiring to tarnish his name, besides colluding with others to grab the land where his Church stood.

Kinyago Police Station Deputy OCS Benjamin Boen confirmed Reverend Michael Mulama reported the incident on February 25.

“He is now at large yet he reported the matter but he is yet to record a statement and that’s criminal, I wonder if such amount of money can fit in a wallet. Even the chief, a woman, is shocked. We are also looking for him, I am told basinful of women’s panties of different colours were found in the compound, what was he doing with them?” posed the officer.

Reverend Mulama, however, claims to have recorded the fresh statement with the office of Inspector General. But the contacts he left at the police station belong to unidentified woman who had this to say when called by The Nairobian: “I am the member of his Church and I can confirm what people are saying about the man of God is not true. Some people are trying to tarnish his name,” she said before hanging up.

Reverend Mulama claims to have been Catholic Priest for ten years but he became uncomfortable with the some Catholic doctrines and practices.

At the same time he felt strong calling from God to serve poorest people who live in slums.

Reverend Mulama received an inheritance in form of piece of land from his father who urged him to care for the poor.

God’s calling

But because he sensed that God was calling him to serve in the slums, he sold the land to begin the mission. “It hurts how people are taking advantage of what I’ve toiled for all my life. If you look around Dandora, I am the only fully trained minister with two degrees called to serve where many preachers have run from,” he said.

But a member of his church who identified herself as Linnet said Reverend Mulama warned all women from attending his services in panties with dire consequences should they go against the rule.

“He told us when going to church we should be free in body and spirit to receive Christ. He also said our daughters should not be wearing underwear on Sundays,” Linnet told The Nairobian at the scene in Dandora.

Another woman who identified herself as Njeri said she quit the church when she found job application letter addressed to the preacher from a woman whose ‘inappropriate’ photo was attached on it.

Bishop Imoite Papa, General Secretary, Alliance Churches of Kenya, termed the move ‘devilish’ saying such preachers are out to tarnish the name of men of cloth. “Warning women from attending service without panties is devilish. You can tell woman to go to bed naked, but church? How does the place of worship relate with underwear?” quips the Bishop of Word Harvest Christian Centre, adding that in future preachers ought to be licensed by government.