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Misinjro, Zachariah Ochari (1929–2003)

By Godfrey K. Sang

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Godfrey K. Sang is a historical researcher and writer with an interest in Adventist history. He holds a B.A. in History from the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and a number of qualifications from other universities. He is a published author. He is the co-author of the book On the Wings of a Sparrow: How the Seventh-day Adventist Church Came to Western Kenya. 

First Published: October 31, 2024

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Zachariah Misinjro was an Adventist missionary and gospel worker who served in the South Nyanza region in Kenya of the East Africa Union.

Early Life

Zachariah Misinjro was born in 1929 in Nyalenda, Rachuonyo District, to Ombuor Ko Origa and Deborah Nya Gila.1 He had five siblings—three brothers and two sisters. His eldest sister was married in Nyakach. His brothers were Ochari of God Nyango, Josiah Ndede of Kosele, and Ong’ondo of Nyalenda. His surviving sister is Damah Rabok.2

Family

Zachariah Misinjro married Priscilla Otieno (Nyobuba) from Agoro. She often shared stories of her early years with her grandchildren, always highlighting how Zachariah paid many cows to win her hand in marriage. They moved from Nyalenda and settled in Kisuri. Together, they were blessed with eight children—the late Caleb Omolo, the late Killion Ombuor (formerly of Royal Hospital, Rongo), the late Eliezar Obunga of Nyalenda, Daniel Okoth of Sino Ka Agol, Silvans Oywer, Daudi Kiche, the late Elizabeth (Rosa), Andrew Okul, and Joseph Amonde.

Zachariah Misinjro, fondly known as “Owadgi Ochari Simba,” was a strict, yet friendly man respected for his firm principles and deep commitment to raising his family in a godly manner. During his lifetime, no waywardness was found in his children.

Misinjro was the brother-in-law of the late literature evangelist Silfano Ongaro of Sikri (1919-1986)3, the father of Michael Olela (formerly of Kanyawanga Boys High School). Zachariah was also the father-in-law to Addah Akoth-Omolo, Elizabeth Okul, Damaris Ariko-Amonde, Roselyn Nyaboke Oywer, Grace Odawo, Alice Nyamoita, and Minicah Nyaleso, among others.

One of his grandchildren fondly recalled, “I remember how he took my sister and me to our father, who was working in Nyamira, Kisii, at the time. He told him that his girls needed a fatherly figure close by as our mother had passed away, and we were living in the village.”4

He highly valued Christian education, wanting to ensure that all his children and some of his grandchildren attended mission schools. For example, Killion Ombuor (1945-2014) was one of the students who studied Clinical Medicine and Midwifery at Gendia5 in the late 1970s and early 1980s under the guidance of the missionary instructors Dr. E. C. Kraft and Edith L. Gilham.

Education

In the 1950s, Zachariah Misinjro studied bookkeeping in Kisumu after taking a sick leave and a study leave from Kisimot Tea Estate in Kericho.6 Like many early missionaries, he received ministerial training at Kamagambo, the only training school available in those early years.

Mission Work

Before joining the mission, Zachariah Misinjro worked at the Kisimot Tea Estate owned by settler farmer Robert Henry Wilson of Kericho, starting as a tea picker and then advancing to sub-foreman (Nyapara). He was eventually promoted to become the first African foreman at the Kericho-based Tea Plantation. After falling ill and seeking treatment, Zachariah recovered and pursued an education and studying bookkeeping in the 1950s, successfully becoming a clerk.

He began his clerical work at Wire Mission and later moved to Gendia Mission in the 1960s. At Gendia, he had the opportunity to work with E. H. Wilson. Zachariah Misinjro later trained as a minister and was first assigned as a district church pastor in the Saye District, followed by a position in the Wagwe District.7

By 1970, Zachariah Misinjro and Z. S. Amayo were the only credentialed missionaries at the Kenya Lake Field, with Z. S. Amayo serving as the secretary-treasurer.8 He worked alongside Field President F. E. Wilson and later with S. O. Omulo, who succeeded President Wilson.9 In 1979, Zachariah Misinjro was officially recognized as a licensed minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served in various mission stations under the Kenya Lake Field, including Gendia, Maliera, and Wire until the 1980s.10

Although Zachariah Misinjro did not officially retire from the ministry, he ceased working eight years before his official retirement date while stationed at Wagwe.11 He returned home and continued to serve as a minister in a Sabbath School started at his compound. He remained dedicated to evangelism and managed his farm, where he engaged in fishery and crop farming.12 Today, the Sabbath School that was begun in his compound has grown into a full-fledged church that hosts camp meetings and evangelistic campaigns.

Death and Legacy

Zachariah Misinjro fell ill, and his family sought medical assistance for him at Matata Hospital, where he was treated and discharged multiple times. Before his death, Zachariah was discharged and recuperating at home when his health deteriorated, leading to a return to the hospital. He passed away in October 2003 at the age of 74, leaving behind a widow, seven surviving children, grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.13

He was preceded in death by two of his brothers, Ochari and Josiah Ndede; his elder sister; his son, Eliezar; his daughter, Elizabeth; and his daughter-in-law, Perez Achieng Ong’aro. At the time of his death, he was survived by 45 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Some of his grandchildren include Tom Mboya Omolo (formerly of Nyabola Mission and Kamagambo Training College), Peter Okoth, Nancy Adhiambo, Media Amonde, Felix Okoth, and Grace Ombuor (formerly of the University of Eastern Africa Baraton).

Zachariah Misinjro is remembered as a dedicated church worker who served in various mission stations within the Kenya Lake Field and eventually as a departmental secretary. He was ardent about evangelism and ensuring that his family lived a godly life.

Sources

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Various years. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

Notes

  1. Silvans Oywer Misinjro, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  2. Andrew Okul Misinjro, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  3. “South Africa Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1968, 264.↩

  4. Grace Ombuor, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  5. Daniel Okoth Misinjro, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  6. Andrew Okul Misinjro, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  7. Ibid.↩

  8. “East Africa Union,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1970, 291.↩

  9. “East Africa Union,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1972, 95, 556.↩

  10. “East Africa Union,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1980, 730.↩

  11. “East Africa Union,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1979, 115.↩

  12. Andrew Okul Misinjro, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

  13. Grace Ombuor, telephone interview by author, August 2024.↩

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Sang, Godfrey K. "Misinjro, Zachariah Ochari (1929–2003)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. October 31, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=CJPX.

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Sang, Godfrey K. "Misinjro, Zachariah Ochari (1929–2003)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. October 31, 2024. Date of access October 15, 2026, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=CJPX.

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Sang, Godfrey K. (2024, October 31). Misinjro, Zachariah Ochari (1929–2003). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved October 15, 2026, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=CJPX.

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