ELDORET, KENYA – As the bass rattles windows and laser lights cut through the dim interiors of Eldoret’s popular nightclubs on a Saturday night, an unusual patron makes his rounds. Clad in his clerical collar and carrying a Bible, Reverend Michael Watenga of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) navigates the crowded dance floors, not for entertainment, but for evangelism. For the past two months, Rev. Watenga has been on a unique mission: taking the gospel directly to the bars and pubs of this bustling North Rift city.

His weekend ministry involves moving between venues, delivering brief five-minute sermons, offering prayers, and engaging patrons in conversations about faith, mental health, and life's challenges. This unconventional strategy is a direct response to what the priest identifies as a growing disconnect between the youth and institutional religion. “I realised these young people would not come to church. They are drowning in alcohol, and we cannot pretend not to see it,” Rev. Watenga stated in a recent interview on Monday, November 24, 2025. He believes that many young people feel judged or unwelcome in traditional church settings and are grappling with depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

A Mission of Presence

Rev. Watenga’s approach is one of non-judgmental engagement. He does not seek to interrupt the revelry but rather to offer a moment of reflection and connection. After seeking and receiving permission from club management, he is often given a short window to address the crowd. “I'm not in the club to stop the fun. I'm there to remind them that God loves them and wants them to change their ways,” he explained. While he preaches, he drinks only soda and exchanges contacts with those who seek further counseling.

This initiative, which has been given the green light by his bishop in the Diocese of Kitale, has garnered a mixed but largely positive reception. Many young patrons have reportedly welcomed his presence, requesting him to speak and sharing their personal struggles. This reception has encouraged him to continue, despite facing criticism from some church elders who argue that nightclubs are ungodly spaces for a priest. Undeterred, Rev. Watenga insists his mission is to reach the lost, citing that “Jesus came to save those who are considered sinful, not those who are good.”

Broader Context and Regional Impact

Rev. Watenga's work taps into pressing social issues affecting urban youth in Kenya. Eldoret, a rapidly growing city, faces challenges including high youth unemployment and related vulnerabilities like substance abuse. Research on street-connected youth in Eldoret highlights that issues like violence and alcoholism at home are significant drivers of their predicament. While Watenga's ministry targets a different subset of youth, the underlying themes of despair and the search for belonging are parallel.

The church in Kenya has historically played a significant role in social development, establishing schools and health facilities and advocating for governance reforms. Faith-based organizations continue to be instrumental in community empowerment, with studies showing a positive link between faith-based interventions and improved livelihoods and ethical behavior. Rev. Watenga's nightclub ministry can be seen as a modern extension of this legacy, adapting outreach methods to contemporary social spaces where traditional evangelism may not penetrate.

The success of this initiative has sparked interest beyond Eldoret, with Rev. Watenga receiving invitations to replicate his mission in Nakuru, Naivasha, Kericho, and other towns. He utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook to amplify his message, relying on contributions from his online audience to cover travel expenses, as he does not have institutional funding for this specific outreach.

As this unconventional ministry continues, it raises important questions about the evolving role of the church in a modern, urban Kenya. It challenges traditional boundaries of sacred spaces and demonstrates a pragmatic effort to meet a generation of young Kenyans where they are, offering spiritual guidance amidst the complexities of urban nightlife.