Sacred or sinister? The ten faces you'll meet at prayer retreats

Prayer centres are traditionally places where the faithful go to seek the face of God, yet there are always a few individuals with less than pure intentions, who attend for ulterior motives. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be rather amusing rules, such as, “Do not share a cell with a member of the opposite sex.” Here are 10 types of people you’re likely to encounter at prayer and fasting centres.

1. The thief

He knows that the faithful often let their guard down, believing prayer centres to be sacred spaces where theft is unimaginable. Once enrolled, his mission begins—he waits for everyone to attend prayer sessions, then looks out for unattended valuables, such as expensive phones left at charging stations. . By the time the prayers are over, someone’s belongings have mysteriously vanished.

2. The asylum seeker

His rental house was locked due to over two months of unpaid arrears, and now the prayer centre serves as the perfect refuge. He negotiates to pay small daily installments and enjoys nearly free amenities, including a place to sleep, a shower, hot water, and even meals from well-wishers. While others are deep in prayer, he can often be found basking in the sun or watching Afro-cinema in the TV hall. He claims to be fasting for 40 days, but in reality, he hasn’t gone a single day without food.

3. The adulterer

Many prayer centres prohibit mixed-gender dormitories for good reason. Some individuals use prayer retreats as a cover for extramarital affairs. It could even be a “fisi” pastor or church elder who organises such events to “feast” on their flock, while all along the husband believes his wife has gone to Milimani to pray for the family. Meanwhile, he is found indulging in the forbidden fruit right in the prayer cell with his prayer partner, who just happens to be someone else’s wife.

4. The eating guru

For this individual, fasting is simply out of the question. She comes fully prepared, packing enough food supplies in her travel bag to ensure she doesn’t miss a single meal—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, she eats in secret, taking care to ensure no one catches her indulging in the meals she insists she doesn’t have.

5. The genuine seeker

This individual is truly here for spiritual renewal as she seeks God to solve her woes. If the prayer and fasting goes for seven days, she will stick to it religiously. She is also keen not to break any of the rules at the centre, including spending too much time at a prayer cell or failing to attend morning and evening prayer services.

6. The one escaping a toxic spouse

For her, the prayer centre is not just a spiritual retreat, but also an escape from a troubled home. A prayer centre is a perfect place for her peace of mind. She uses the time to reflect on whether she should continue in her marriage or leave. Her absence is also meant to teach her spouse a lesson—to make him realise her worth while she is away.

7. The love hunter

He has searched for love in different places including social media to no avail. He now wants to experiment at the prayer centres where he hears that a lot of women desperate for husbands go to pray for life partners. He is always seen trying to “network” with other faithful. However, his main focus is on members of the opposite sex, and his true intentions have little to do with spiritual growth.

8. The wanted criminal

Disguised as an innocent worshipper seeking spiritual intervention, he registers for a 21-day prayer and fasting session. Unknown to both the faithful and the clergy, he is actually a fugitive hiding from the authorities. His phone remains switched off, giving the impression that he is avoiding worldly distractions, but in reality, he is evading the law.

9. The leisure/curiosity seeker

Travelling all the way from Nairobi to Katoloni in Machakos County, he is here purely out of curiosity. He spends his time wandering around, exploring the surroundings, and bombarding locals with questions about the history and operations of the prayer centre.

10. The complete idler

Living near the prayer centre, she has little to occupy her time after completing school. She frequently visits the centre —not necessarily to pray, but to enjoy the praise and worship sessions. She also takes advantage of the free electricity to charge her phone, a luxury not yet available in her village.