By Prudence Minayo
Bishop Godfrey Migwi was the founder of House of Hope Church which opened its doors 1999. The church is located in Kayole where gangs, guns and prostitution reign supreme. The church has a capacity of more than 4,000 members and was said to have more than 2,000 members. Bishop Godfrey believed his church had brought about a positive change in people’s lives. He was loved by many and was praised for his sermons as well as his good looks. The pastor was also known for his strong opinions both on and off the pulpit.
Age
At the time of his death, he was 39-years-old.
Career
Bishop Migwi was a renowned cleric with decades of experience in preaching the word of God. He founded his church at a young age and grew it into an architectural marvel in Kayole. He once said building the church cost him more than 100 million. The man of clothe said that some members of his church were reformed drug addicts and prostitutes among other delinquents.
Apart from preaching, he was a psychologist and a religion and political analyst at BBC News Swahili radio. Added to all this, he was also a businessman.
At one point, the bishop used to have a religious show called Kwenjera Uma wa Mandiko (analyzing the truth of the word). The show used to air every Wednesday on Kamene radio alongside Man Nyari and Kamlesh. He was fired in 2019.
Politics
The pastor was a very strong critic of the Building Bridges Initiative. He had also openly declared his support for deputy president William Ruto in the 2022 succession politics. In January, he hosted the deputy president in his church and condemned the president for remarks he made as he addressed mourners during the burial of former deputy prime minister Musalia Mudavadi’s mother. He said that it was time for a leader from a tribe other than the Kikuyu to lead Kenyans.
Early this year, he officially confirmed that he would vie for Mathioya parliamentary seat in the forthcoming elections. He said the people of Mathioya needed change and he was the right person to bring it. Migwi stated that he had lived among them and knew the solutions they needed to move forward.
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Awards
He won the 2014 Mwafaka award for Best Singer in Central Kenya.
Family
In an earlier interview with the Nairobian, he responded to rumors that he was in a relationship with popular singer Betty Bayo. He said they were not having an affair but were both singers. He then revealed that he was a happily married man with three children and that he loved his wife.
Death
On 2nd December 2021, his church members and fans were thrown into mourning following the announcement of his death. It is reported that he died of high blood pressure.
Deputy President William Ruto was among the leaders who led Kenyans in mourning his death.
“Bishop Godfrey Migwi was a bold, vocal and powerful spiritual leader with a great sense of humor.
He was a mentor and friend with strong pastoral faith that he infused in all of us. We will miss his topical and nourishing sermons,” said the deputy president.
He added that they would miss him and sent his love and prayers to both his family and church. His congregation and those who knew him have also expressed their sorrow over his untimely demise.
