On Saturday night on 26 October 2024 self-proclaimed prophetess Mary Sinaida Akatsa was declared dead. She was the leader of Jerusalem Church Of Christ and is known for her firm stand in her teachings and for unapologetically punishing latecomers in her church.
She was receiving treatment in a hospital in Nairobi where she succumbed to illness. The cause of death is yet to be established. However, a family member, who preferred to stay unnamed, told our source that the prophetess died because of kidney failure.
Whos Was Mary Akatsa?
Mary Sinaida Akatsa was born in Ebusiralo in Luanda, Vihiga. Her parents died at an early age and she was 8 years old. She was married to the late Mr Akatsa from Kisa, Kakamega county. She claimed to have divorced her husband because of adultery which was also not tolerated in her church.
After her parents’ deaths, she worked as a house girl in Kikuyu Kiambu. She claims that she got the revelation to open a church and do God’s work at 10 years old. She started the church in the late 1980s.
Mary Akatsa Ministry and Evangelical Approach
The self-proclaimed prophetess Mary Akatsa also known as Mummy,” “Mama Africa” or “Dada Mary rose to fame in the 1990s with her church in Nairobi Kawangware.
Her church grew and opened many branches in the western region of Kenya and attracted a significant following roughly estimated to be over 500,000. Her followers must run when entering the church and worshipers who came late faced humiliation and beatings.
Her ministry is a blend of Christianity with African traditional spirituality, characterized by vibrant music drumming, chanting, and spirited faith healing.
Akasa was also a great music composer together with her church band.
Mary did intense exorcisms, claiming to expel evil spirits from congregants. Apart from punishing latecomers other worshipers who strayed from her teachings faced the same wrath.
People from all walks of life frequented her church, and during election season, several politicians visited the prophetess for prayers.
Since there were no chairs in the church, Faithful sat on the floor.
Mary Akatsa’s Controversial Events
Akatsa’s ministry was characterized by several dramatic incidents:
The “Appearance of Jesus”
She asserted that Jesus Christ personally made an appearance at her congregation on June 11, 1988. Witnesses spoke of a man who appeared to be Jesus dressed in white clothes. There was a lot of doubt regarding the occurrence, though, because this person was later found to be connected to the Maitreya movement.
Claims of Resurrection
Akatsa said that three days after her mother-in-law had slain her by witchcraft, she miraculously arose from the grave. This story helped to establish her as a strong spiritual leader.
Her influence on the lives of people who attended her services is indisputable, even though her techniques were frequently divisive and contentious.
