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Hezron Kenani

Photo courtesy of Godfrey K. Sang.

Kenani, Hezron Keng’ara (1914–1995)

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 8, 2024

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Hezron Kenani was a medical missionary, church minister, and administrator in Kenya.

Early Life

Hezron Keng’ara Kenani was born in 1914 in Bochura, Kitutu, Kisii County, to Mzee Keng’ara Nyamosi Obare and Mama Kemunto.1 He began his early education at Nyanchwa Adventist School in Kisii and completed his secondary education there at Form 2. He was baptized at the Nyanchwa Mission. He then joined the Kendu Mission Hospital to train as a dresser under Dr. George A. Madgwick and Dr. C. E. Cummings.2 He completed his training in 1935 and began working at the same facility as a dresser. He doubled up as an evangelist and brought many of his patients to the faith.3 He later moved to the Nyangoso Health Clinic in the same capacity.

Family

In 1940, he married Bathsheba Nyang’ara, and together they raised a large family. Their children included Keng’ara Kenani, late Karen Nchore, Dr. James Kenani, Dr. Onchari Kenani, late Prisca Ayuka Oendo, Miruka Ogoti Kenani, Eunice Gesare Ondari, late Ellen Wangare, Cliff Kenani, and Caroline Ngure.

Ministry

In 1947, Hezron Kenani was appointed the departmental secretary for Sabbath School and MV (Missionary Volunteers) at the Nyanchwa Mission.4 He conducted an evangelistic campaign, and a new church of 30 members was organized from it. He was then put in charge of two churches that had a combined membership of 644 persons.5 He was dedicated to his work, and by the time he left, the congregation had grown by 300 new members. In 1950, Kenani studied at the Bugema Missionary College, completing his ministerial training in 1951. He then returned to the Nyanchwa Mission and pastored a number of churches. In 1953, the South Kenya Mission Field (SKMF) was organized, covering the work in the Kisii and Maasai areas in the south and southwest of Kenya.6 Pastor Kenani later joined the South Kenya Mission as a pastor, and that same year was ordained as a minister of the gospel. He was ordained together with Pastor Augustino Saisi.7 He was now one of eleven ordained ministers in the South Kenya Mission field.8 In 1955, he was appointed to serve as the departmental secretary for Home Missionary, Sabbath School, and YPMV (Young People’s Missionary Volunteers) at the SKMF, 9 where he worked under Pastor K. G. Webster, the founding superintendent of the SKMF. In 1957, F. G. Thomas took over from Pastor J. D. Harcombe (who had replaced Pastor Webster). When the SKMF was reorganized, Pastor Kenani was appointed as departmental secretary for Publishing and Sabbath School, handing over his old docket to Pastor D. Kengere.10

In 1958, Kenani moved to Bugema Missionary College, serving there as the dean of men under Principal C. T. J. Hyde.11 In 1960, he returned to the South Kenya Mission, this time taking up the Sabbath School, Temperance, and Voice of Prophecy departments.12

East Africa Union

In 1963, Pastor Kenani was appointed the departmental secretary for Church Development for the East Africa Union.13 His responsibilities included planning for new churches within the Union which, at that time, included both Kenya and Uganda. He was instrumental in the dedication of the Kisumu and Manyatta churches within the Kisumu township.14 The Kisumu Church was officially opened on January 8, 1966, by the mayor of Kisumu, Mrs. Grace Onyango.15 The church, which had been constructed to seat a congregation of 250, had all the modern facilities and a baptistry as well as the residential house for the pastor.16 Pastor Kenani conducted the dedication service on that same day with Pastor E. T. Gackenheimer offering the dedication prayer. Those present included the Kenya Lake Field President, Pastor Fred Wilson. The Manyata Church was inaugurated the following Sabbath, January 15, 1966, and also dedicated on the same day by Pastor Kenani and Pastor Gackenheimer.17 In 1966, some 32 churches were organized and dedicated by Pastor Kenani, both in Kenya and Uganda.18

Field President

In 1967, Pastor Kenani became the president of the Ranen Field, taking over from Pastor Elizaphan M. Nyamweya.19 He remained there until 1970, then handing it over to Pastor Christopher Odero and became the president of the South Kenya Field, swapping places with Pastor Odero.20 He served in this position until 1972. The secretary/treasurer at this time was D. L. Folkenberg.

Legacy

Due to declining health, Pastor Kenani took an early retirement in 1972. For his dedication and service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he was recognized and honored by Kenya’s President Jomo Kenyatta and received the Head of State Commendation award. He finally rested on November 15, 1995, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and leadership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church community. He is fondly credited for his contribution in translating the Ekegusii Hymnal Ogotera Kwa Nyasae, which continues in print. He was survived by his wife, Bathsheba Nyang’ara, and their children, and he was laid to rest at his home in Riondonga, Nyaribari Chache, in Kisii County.21

Sources

Cleveland, E. E. “The Voice of Africa.” The North American Informant, November 1, 1956.

Gackenheimer, E. T. “Kisumu and Manyata Church Dedications.” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, March 15, 1966.

Hanson, E. D. “Constituency Meetings in East Africa.” Southern Africa Division Outlook, November 15, 1953.

Omanhene, Wadjo Apaw. “Native Petition for a Hospital and School in Agona, Gold Coast.” The Advent Survey, January 1, 1934.

Reid, F. G. “Report of the East African Union.” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, February 1, 1967.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. Various years. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

Notes

  1. Cliff Kenani (Hezron Kenani’s son), telephone interview by author, March 3, 2024.↩

  2. Wadjo Apaw. Omanhene, “Native Petition for a Hospital and School in Agona, Gold Coast,” The Advent Survey, January 1, 1934, 9-10.↩

  3. E. E. Cleveland, “The Voice of Africa,” The North American Informant, November 1, 1956, 12.↩

  4. Ibid.↩

  5. Ibid.↩

  6. E. D. Hanson, “Constituency Meetings in East Africa,” Southern Africa Division Outlook, November 15, 1953, 4.↩

  7. Ibid.↩

  8. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1954), 184.↩

  9. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1955), 153.↩

  10. “South Kenya Mission Field,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1957), 160.↩

  11. “Bugema Missionary College,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1959), 217.↩

  12. “South Kenya Field,”Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1961), 177.↩

  13. “East African Union,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1964), 250.↩

  14. E. T. Gackenheimer, “Kisumu and Manyata Church Dedications” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, March 15, 1966, 6.↩

  15. Ibid.↩

  16. Ibid.↩

  17. Ibid.↩

  18. F. G. Reid, “Report of the East African Union,” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, February 1, 1967, 7.↩

  19. “Ranen Field,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 1968), 264.↩

  20. “South Kenya Field,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Review & Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.), 1970, 270.↩

  21. Cliff Kenani (Hezron Kenani’s son), telephone interview by author, March 3, 2024.↩

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Sang, Godfrey K. "Kenani, Hezron Keng’ara (1914–1995)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. October 08, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EJP3.

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Sang, Godfrey K. "Kenani, Hezron Keng’ara (1914–1995)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. October 08, 2024. Date of access December 12, 2024, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EJP3.

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Sang, Godfrey K. (2024, October 08). Kenani, Hezron Keng’ara (1914–1995). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved December 12, 2024, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EJP3.

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