Kenya West
In 1896 three Salvationists went to Kenya to work on the building of a new railway and made their witness while based at the Taru Camp. The first official meetings were held in Nairobi in April 1921, led by Lieut-Colonel and Mrs James Allister Smith. The first cadets were trained in 1923. On 1 March 2008, the Kenya Territory was divided into two and the Kenya East Territory and Kenya West Territory were created.
Encompassed in the theme "One body, many parts" (1 Corinthians 12:12), the Kenya West Territory has been working toward strengthening the ministry and mission of The Salvation Army by continually aiming for increased cooperation in all areas of leadership across the territory in order to realise positive outcomes.
Through the ongoing efforts of officers 13 outposts have been elevated to corps status, five districts to divisional status and two new districts have been created.
Infrastructure continues to be an area requiring upgrades. We are grateful for the blessing of dedicating new corps facilities, officer's quarters, school classrooms, dormitories and latrines. A new set of six flats have been constructed for THQ officers, enabling all THQ staff to live on the one compound. Because of this new construction, five THQ houses can now be leased as part of our income generation towards self-sustainability.
Women's Ministries (WM) continues to be an integral part of ministry and has engaged in "Empowering Women" seminars throughout the territory. All centres have been involved in weekend events of training, teaching and spiritual development. A first was the visit of the complete WM team to Turkana District in the north of the territory for a three-day seminar with women officers and soldiers.
In collaboration with supporting territories, the territory has begun a three-year project aimed at reducing the impact of human trafficking. Although only six months into the programme, positive results are already being seen.
Officer capacity building continues. In 2019 specific training was offered to divisional leaders, auditors, finance officers, youth leaders, newly commissioned lieutenants and cadets in the area of child protection.
Self-denial is always a strong focus for local Salvationists who acknowledge blessings from God and willingly support the international Salvation Army. Each year allows us to realise a substantial increase in self-denial giving and this trend continues in 2019.
We are thankful to God for his blessings and we are excited to move forward in building in Kingdom.
Territorial Leaders
Commissioner Stephen Chepkurui- Territorial Commander (1 January 2017)
Commissioner Grace Chepkurui - Territorial President for Women's Ministries
Lieut-Colonel Morris Vincent - Chief Secretary (1 January 2017)
Lieut-Colonel Wanda Vincent - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries
Territorial Headquarters
Mumia Highway Road
Kakamega
Kenya
Postal address
PO Box 660
Kakamega 50100
Kenya
Statistics
Officers - 1,068 (active - 832 retired - 236) Auxillary Captains - 25
Cadets - 43 Employees - 55
Corps - 541 Outposts - 886
Senior Soldiers - 128,527 Adherents - 228 Junior Soldiers - 129,132
Tel: +254 020 249 3210
Email: kyw.leadership@kyw.salvationarmy.org
Languages in which the gospel is preached: English, Kiswahili and a number of tribal and regional languages