The life and times of JCC's Bishop Allan Kiuna

The passing on of charismatic Jesus Celebration Church Bishop Allan Kiuna just under a year after being declared cancer-free sent shockwaves among his faithful.

The news of the preacher passing on was conveyed in a short message to the congregants.   

In a statement, the family said: “It is with heartfelt condolences that today we announce our beloved Bishop Allan Kiuna has gone to be with the Lord. Bishop Allan Kiuna, the general overseer and founder of Jubilee Christian Church was an extraordinary man who touched the lives of many and had a great passion for ministering not just locally but globally.” 

The rags-to-riches man of the cloth had incurred a staggering cost of Sh460 million during his treatment in the US. Despite the astronomical amount, Bishop Kiuna said in an earlier interview that the entire cost was miraculously covered, requiring no contribution from his finances.  

Kiuna was loved and admired by many and will be missed by his wife Kathy. The couple’s journey has been about love and faith.

In an earlier interview, the Kariobangi-born Kiuna revealed that his humble background and drive for success kept pushing him.

“I moved out the first month I earned my salary,” Kiuna told KTN.

But the most inspiring aspect of the couple’s story is how they met. Kathy shared intriguing details about how she and Kiuna first crossed paths.

Their love story, which she described as gradual and profound, unfolded with a flirtatious exchange, where Kathy playfully acknowledged Kiuna’s good looks.

“I was going for a lunch-hour evangelism meeting when I saw Allan making a call. I had seen him before with my sister, and she thought he was handsome,” reminisced Kathy.

The couple’s connection deepened, leading to a lasting friendship and eventually marriage. Kathy disclosed that on their first date, she revealed having a three-year-old daughter, a revelation that excited Kiuna and solidified their bond.

“In my heart, I was pleading with God not to let him be taken away. The second time he asked, as a wise person, I knew I couldn’t say no twice, so I said yes,” she added, divulging the playful beginnings of their relationship. 

Lavish Living

The lavish lifestyle of the Kiuna’s has long been a subject of discussion. Five years ago, Reverend Kathy stirred controversy on Twitter by asserting that sincere tithing prevents one from remaining poor.

The couple’s opulent lifestyle and love for material things have been evident, with Bishop Kiuna proudly sharing moments of luxury, including a controversial Instagram post featuring a private jet.

“Tithing is an obedience issue. You cannot be a tither, a sincere tither, and remain poor,” Kathy shared on social media, sparking a debate about the intersection of faith and wealth.

The most recent celebration was not solely about Bishop Kiuna’s return and recovery; it also marked 29 years of marriage and his 57th birthday. During the event, Vanessa, the couple’s eldest daughter, expressed gratitude to her father for his support.

Vanessa, a lawyer, said her father was her biggest champion and influence on her decisions.

“Nobody has fought for my dream like my dad, and I stand here as a practitioner because of my dad,” Vanessa remarked during the celebration. 

Reverend Kathy, founder of Woman Without Limits, often praises her husband as the steadfast anchor in her life. In a recent Instagram post, she delved into the concept of submission, emphasising the pre-established order in creation.

The couple, formerly engaged in the printing business, founded the Jubilee Christian Church in 1999, which has expanded to include 15 local branches and five international churches.

“Everything that God created follows a pre-established order. Nothing that God does is haphazard or chaotic. Being in order doesn’t mean you are inferior; it means you understand that for anything to function properly, there must be order,” Kathy said when discussing the concept of submission.

Many evangelical churches preach that congregants will get riches according to how much they give. This, however, seems to keep the faithful in poverty while their leaders prosper.