According to information circulating online and accounts linked to the matter, Prophet Owuor, the leader of the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness, sent the funds to the journalists while claiming the money was “from the Lord.”
The gesture, however, sparked immediate ethical concerns given the timing, as TV47 is currently running investigative pieces examining claims surrounding the church.
Sources at TV47 indicated that the journalists involved declined to accept the money and promptly reversed the transaction, citing professional standards and the need to maintain editorial independence.
Media ethics guidelines in Kenya discourage journalists from receiving gifts or money from individuals or institutions they are covering, particularly during ongoing investigations.
The development has intensified public debate around the relationship between religious leaders and the media, especially at a time when Prophet Owuor’s ministry has been under increased scrutiny following recent televised reports questioning alleged healing claims and the documentation presented by some followers.
Neither Prophet Owuor nor his ministry has issued a detailed public statement specifically addressing the reversal of the funds, though his supporters have defended the gesture online, arguing it was a goodwill act with no strings attached.
Critics, however, view the incident as inappropriate and potentially compromising, given the sensitive nature of the investigation.
TV47 has not indicated that the incident will halt or alter its reporting, reaffirming its commitment to independent, fair, and ethical journalism.
The station’s investigative team is expected to continue examining issues related to faith healing, accountability, and public health implications tied to religious movements.
The incident has become a focal point in broader conversations about media integrity, transparency, and the boundaries between faith institutions and journalistic practice in Kenya.
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