Abstract
This study examines the persistent belief in witchcraft among members of the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) in Machakos County, Kenya, and its profound implications for fulfilling the church's core mandates. Focusing on four key areas, namely adherence to positive cultural values, faith values, social cohesion, and church growth, the research aims to investigate the effects of belief in witchcraft on ABC membership while also exploring the moderating role of church interventions. Guided by Functionalism and Utilitarian theories, this study addresses the scarcity of research on the effects of witchcraft belief in indigenous African churches, employing an eclectic methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample comprised 395 respondents drawn from seven sub-headquarters of ABC, selected through a stratified sampling procedure. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions were utilized for data collection, ensuring both construct validity and reliability of the research instruments. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were employed for quantitative data, while qualitative data were organized into thematic categories aligned with the research objective and presented through narratives, charts, and graphs. Findings from the exploratory analysis reveal the prevalence of belief in witchcraft within ABC, with respondents' age, education, and church roles identified as significant determinants. The confirmatory analysis supports the hypothesis, demonstrating that belief in witchcraft detrimentally affects faith values within ABC. The study recommends that ABC should reconsider its church interventions, taking into account the ontological reality of belief in witchcraft to strengthen the faith values of its members. By addressing the dualism in beliefs and fostering spiritual growth, ABC can mitigate the negative consequences of witchcraft belief, enhance social cohesion, and facilitate church growth within its congregations.
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