A Refugee Camp Church in Kenya Grows from Six to Over One Hundred Members
Kakuma, 11 July 2026
Established in April 2025, a Kenyan refugee camp’s church branch has grown from six to over 100 members, overcoming isolation despite previously being 419 kilometres from the nearest congregation.
From Isolation to Community
Located in Kalobeyei Village, Kenya, the Kakuma refugee camp is a vast humanitarian hub housing approximately 300,000 refugees from over 20 different countries [2]. Within this highly diverse and challenging environment, the Kakuma Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organised on 6 April 2025 [2]. Before this establishment, the spiritual isolation of the camp’s Latter-day Saint residents was profound, with the nearest official church unit located a staggering 419 kilometres away [2].
Overcoming Physical and Administrative Barriers
The physical infrastructure of the Kakuma Branch remains humble but highly functional. Currently, the local members utilise a basic shed as their primary meetinghouse [2]. To overcome the isolation of being far from central resources, the congregation was provided with internet access funded by donations, enabling regular and reliable communication with regional church leadership [2].
Ministering to the Pioneers of Kakuma
Shortly before this transfer, on 19 June 2026, high-ranking church leaders conducted an official visit to Kakuma to offer direct spiritual guidance and minister to the growing congregation [2]. The visiting delegation included Elder Johnny O. Baddoo, an Area Seventy; President Onward Chivunga, then serving as the Kenya Nairobi West Mission President; and President Meshack Odunga, the Second Counsellor in the mission presidency [2].