History of RCEA Chemaluk Local Church

This post has moved. You can now read it on my main blog, Journey of a Peace Worker: History of RCEA Chemaluk Local Church.

Compiled by: William Kiptoo

The Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) Chemaluk Local Church was established in 1969 at Shamtreck Farm, near Marura Trading Center, presently the site of Equator Flower Farm. Initially, the church was known as Mutwot Local Church until the year 2000 when it adopted its current name, RCEA Chemaluk.

The origins of the church date back to its beginnings as a preaching post, serving a few African families employed as laborers at Shamtreck Farm, which was owned by a Boer settler. These families initially gathered for worship at a small farmhouse until 1972 when the church relocated to Marura Trading Center.

Up until 1975, the church was administered by missionaries from the Plateau area as part of RCEA's broader mission work. Both white missionaries and a few ordained African ministers regularly visited Mutwot to nurture the young congregation and administer sacraments. 

In 1975, the Plateau Parish was divided to create several new parishes, and Mutwot became one of 11 local churches within the newly created Koitoror Parish. In 1992, Mr. Maina Sigowo, a local resident and church member, generously donated a portion of his land for the construction of a new church. The church then moved to its current location and began operating out of a makeshift structure while starting a nursery school for the community.

In 1996, when Koitoror Parish was subdivided, Mutwot Local Church was moved under the new Livingstone Parish. The name "Mutwot" was officially changed to RCEA Chemaluk Local Church in 2000 to better reflect the name of the local primary school and surrounding area. In 2012, the Livingstone Parish was further divided into Livingstone and Tumaini parishes, with Chemaluk remaining a part of Livingstone Parish.

Timeline of Key Events

| **Year** | **Event** |

|:--------:|-----------|

| 1969     | Establishment of Mutwot Local Church at Shamtreck Farm |

| 1972     | Relocation of Mutwot Local Church to Marura Trading Center |

| 1975     | Koitoror Parish created, and Mutwot Local Church placed under it |

| 1992     | Mr. Sigowo donates 1 acre of land; Mutwot Local Church relocates to its current location and sets up a makeshift structure along with a nursery school |

| 1996     | Koitoror Parish is divided; Mutwot Local Church becomes part of Livingstone Parish |

| 1998     | Church construction begins; Rev. Benson Odinga lays the foundation stone |

| 2000     | Mutwot Local Church renamed RCEA Chemaluk Local Church |

| 2012     | Livingstone Parish is divided; Chemaluk remains part of Livingstone Parish |

Growth of the Congregation

Though official statistical records of Chemaluk Local Church’s membership growth are unavailable, oral sources indicate steady growth since its establishment in 1969. Below is an approximate representation of the growth in the number of families over the years:

| **Year** | **Number of Families** |

|:--------:|-------------------------|

| 1969     | 3                       |

| 1975     | 6                       |

| 1980     | 10                      |

| 1985     | 12                      |

| 1990     | 18                      |

| 1995     | 29                      |

| 2000     | 40                      |

| 2005     | 40                      |

| 2010     | 42                      |

| 2015     | 50                      |

Parish Ministers

The church has seen various parish ministers serve over the years. Below is a record of their service:

| **Year** (From - To) | **Parish Minister**           |

|----------------------|-------------------------------|

| 1969 - 1980          | Unknown                       |

| 1980 - 1981          | Rev. Justin Mutai             |

| 1981 - 1987          | Rev. Abraham Chebiego         |

| 1987 - 2002          | Unknown                       |

| 1998 - 2002          | Rev. Stanley Muigai           |

| 2002 - 2006          | Rev. Abraham Chebiego         |

| 2006 - 2009          | Rev. Hezron Komen             |

| 2009 - Present       | Rev. Japheth Lelei            |

Evangelists

The following evangelists have served Chemaluk Local Church since its inception:

| **Year** (From - To) | **Evangelist**                |

|----------------------|-------------------------------|

| 1969 - 1972          | Unknown                       |

| 1972 - 1973          | James Kimungui                |

| 1973 - 1976          | Robert Chepkuto               |

| 1976 - 1979          | Richard Wekesa                |

| 1979 - 1980          | Makokha                       |

| 1980 - 1982          | John Cheruiyot                |

| 1982 - 1982          | Walala                        |

| 1984 - 1987          | Kariuki Njau                  |

| 1987 - Unknown       | Mulago                        |

| 2002 - 2006          | Joram Gitau                   |

| 2006 - 2014          | Unknown                       |

| 2015 - Present       | Monica Kimutai                |

### Chairpersons

Several individuals have chaired the congregation since its formation. Below is a record of their service:

| **Year** (From - To) | **Chairperson(s)**            |

|----------------------|-------------------------------|

| 1969 - 1992          | Unknown                       |

| 1992 - 1996          | Rev. Stanley Muigai           |

| 1996 - 2001          | James Thuo                    |

| 2001 - 2007          | William Kiptoo                |

| 2007 - 2015          | Wilson Songok                 |

| 2015 - Present       | Emmanuel Kutto                |

Conclusion 

RCEA Chemaluk Local Church has grown from a small congregation of a few families to a thriving community over the decades. Its history reflects the dedication and contributions of various individuals, from missionaries to local leaders, all of whom have shaped the church's legacy. Through continued growth, the church remains a vital spiritual and social center in the Chemaluk community, with a strong commitment to its mission and its members.

RITT Launches New Course in Peace and Reconciliation

This post has moved. You can now read it on my main blog, Journey of a Peace Worker: RITT Launches New Course in Peace and Reconciliation.

The Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT) has introduced a new course in Peace and Reconciliation, marking a significant milestone in pastoral education and the Church’s response to regional conflict. The 10-week course, the first of its kind at the institute, will initially be offered to all certificate and diploma students training for ministry within the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA).

The course was officially launched last week at the RITT campus in Eldoret. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Principal, Rev. Dr. Thomas Togom, underscored the importance of preparing clergy not just for the pulpit, but also for real-world challenges facing congregations and communities.

“What we need is an all-rounded pastor who is able to handle issues more broadly from an informed point of view,” said Rev. Dr. Togom.

RITT students take part in a Peace Walk to commemorate the International Day of Peace, as part of activities under the newly introduced Peace and Reconciliation program at the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT).

The Dean of Studies, Rev. Hezron Komen, echoed the sentiment, noting that the course comes at a time when many communities in the region are grappling with deep-seated divisions and unresolved tensions.

“What we are seeing is a lot of conflicts happening around our region, and our churches and congregations are not immune to it,” said Rev. Komen. “As an institute, we are happy to contribute to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.”

RITT, which has long served as the training ground for RCEA pastors and evangelists, is also exploring plans to establish a Center for Peace Studies. According to Rev. Komen, the envisioned center would serve as a hub for research, specialized training, and ongoing capacity-building for serving church leaders.

“We want to equip more church workers in this field and offer more support to serving pastors and evangelists,” he said. “Our plan is to develop thematic workshops they can attend at their convenience.”

The introduction of the Peace and Reconciliation course comes against the backdrop of a continuing need for healing and reconciliation in the North Rift region, which bore the brunt of the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya. The scars of that turbulent period remain evident, and churches have played a critical role in fostering dialogue and rebuilding relationships among divided communities.

RITT’s initiative is part of a broader push by the Church to equip its leaders with practical tools for ministry in a complex and often fractured social environment. With this new program, the Institute signals a renewed commitment to peace work as central to the Church’s mission