A History of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in the Eastern Region (1915 to 2022).

Abstract

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA)was established in the Eastern Region in 1915 by the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM). The first missionaries were Africans from Kikuyu and Tumutumu mission stations which had been established in 1901 and 1908 respectively. With the support of the SCM, these African missionaries evangelized their fellow Africans. Although PCEA has been in Eastern region ( Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties) since 1915, and is one of the dominant denominations in this region with remarkable influence, no systematic study has been done on it. This gave the authors impetus to trace the history of PCEA in the Eastern region with the intention of preserving it. The study’s objective was to trace the history of PCEA in Eastern region from 1915 to 2022. The Descriptive Survey Research design was employed in this study. Data was collected using Questionnaires, oral interviews and document reviews. The Sample size was 438 respondents who included 9 Presbytery Moderators, 53 Church Ministers and 376 church members. From the 376 church members a category of 20 respondents who were identified through snow balling were engaged in oral interviews. The study established that PCEA was established by the CSM in Eastern region at a place called Chogoria in Maara Sub County and since then it has spread to all other areas within the region. It is now found in many parts of Meru and Tharaka Counties. The study established that in this region, PCEA has been involved in intensive evangelization and most of the mission work in this region is credited to the Africans themselves.