The Salvation Army was raised up by God through William and Catherine Booth in 1865 in London, England. It is now an evangelical Christian Church with its distrinctive governance and Practice. Its doctrine follows the mainstream Christian belief. It advances education, relief of poverty and other charitable ministries beneficial to mankind. The Salvation Army Articles emphasize Gods saving purposes.

In 1896, the Salvation Army work started in Taru at the Coastal part of Kenya. Among the builders of the Kenya-Uganda Railway, there were three Salvationists who first witnessed at this place.

In 1923, the first Cadets were trained. During this witness, David Kigugumo received salvation and became the first Kenyan Cadet and Officer of the Salvation Army.

The work expanded rapidly spreading to Gimomoi in Mbale Division and Kwamulinga in Thika Division. In 1931, the flag was unfurled in Mbale Uganda, by Captain and Mrs. Edward Osborne.

The Territory was named East Africa Territory comprising Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania countries with the Headquarters in Nairobi Kenya along Moi Avenue.

In 1999, Tanzania was granted Command status and became a territory on 1 February 2008. By the year 2005, the work had expanded so rapidly in the two Countries-Kenya and Uganda with a total of 175,261 Senior Soldiers and 176,542 Junior Soldiers. This necessitated the creation of Uganda Command leaving Kenya as one Territory.

By December 2007; The Kenya territory had 12 Divisions and 15 Districts with a total of over 200,000 Senior Soldiers and 173,905 Junior Soldiers. 

The 1st March 2008 saw the creation of two Territories from the Kenya Territory. Kenya East and West Territories. The main purpose being to bring leadership closer to the people and to reach them with the Gospel.

Kenya West territory commenced its work on Saturday 1st of March 2008. This was basically as a result of:

  1. The rapid growth of The Army in Kenya hence, the creation of the Kenya East and Kenya West Territory.

  2. To advance the mission of the church of winning more souls at any cost and reaching God’s people with the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere without discrimination.

  3. The need for taking leadership close to people so that they can be reached easily in terms of evangelism.

On the onset of the territory, we had 113,030 senior soldiers and 122,697 junior soldiers spread in 331 corps and 914 outposts.

The territory started with 7 divisions and 9 districts with 446 active and 219 retired officers. Other employees at THQ were 34.

At the end of 2018, the territory had 128,527 senior soldiers and 129,132 junior soldiers spread in 570 corps and 858 outposts. The Administrative units are 19 divisions and 10 districts with 780 active and 231 retired officers.

The THQ is located in Kakamega town along kakamega/Kisumu highway and hosts 5 section and 50 offices. Administrative Offices are also located in twenty-nine DHQs units namely:

 

  1. Banja

  2. Bungoma;

  3. Bunyore (Emuhondo)

  4. Cheptais

  5. Eldoret;

  6. Gusii

  7. Kakamega

  8. Kapsabet

  9. Kimilili;

  10. Kisumu

  11. Kitale;

  12. Kolanya

  13. Kwanza

  14. Lugari (Matete);

  15. Lumakanda

  16. Madzuu

  17. Malava

  18. Mautuma

  19. Mbale

  20. Migori (Kakrao)

  21. Moisbridge

  22. Mumias

  23. Musudzuu

  24. Sabatia

  25. Shigomere

  26. Sirisia

  27. Tongaren;

  28. Turkana (Lodwar);

  29. Webuye;

 

 

These are in Western, Nyanza and part of Rift Valley regions of Kenya.