A wave of controversy has engulfed Kenyan-based televangelist Pastor David Owuor following widespread claims that he travelled to Venezuela earlier this year to pray for President Nicolás Maduro amid mounting legal and diplomatic pressure from the United States.
According to allegations circulating online and in political circles, the pastor visited Caracas at a time when the Maduro administration was facing intensified scrutiny over narcotics trafficking and international sanctions. The claims suggest that the visit involved prayers seeking divine intervention to prevent the Venezuelan leader from being arrested or removed from power by U.S. authorities.
Supporters of these claims allege that the religious engagement was financially motivated, pointing to what they describe as large sums of money linked to Venezuela’s oil revenues.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that, on January 3, 2026, U.S. military forces arrested President Maduro during an overnight operation in Caracas, after which he was transferred to the United States to face narco-terrorism charges in a New York court.
Kenya Health Probe Adds New Dimension
The international claims have coincided with growing scrutiny of Pastor Owuor’s activities in Kenya, particularly allegations surrounding miracle healings. The Ministry of Health has launched investigations into more than ten medical doctors who allegedly endorsed claims that the pastor had cured serious illnesses, including HIV/AIDS and cancer, and enabled people with physical disabilities to walk.
Some of the doctors under scrutiny are reportedly registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), raising concerns about professional ethics and the spread of medical misinformation.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern warning, stating that any health professional found to have promoted unverified or false medical claims could face severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from public service.
“These matters go beyond religion. They touch on public health, professional integrity, and the safety of vulnerable patients,” Mr. Duale said in remarks to officials.
By Monday morning, a joint team from the Ministry of Health and KMPDU had begun preliminary inquiries into the doctors involved, signalling a broader government effort to curb what officials describe as the exploitation of faith to undermine medical science.
Faith, Power, and Accountability
The unfolding events have reignited debate in Kenya and beyond over the intersection of religion, politics, and accountability, particularly where religious influence extends into matters of state power and public health.
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