“MBONA HUENDANGI KANISA?” HINTS AND NUANCES OF GROWING SECULARIZATION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN RŪAKA, KĪAMBU COUNTY
Abstract
Statement of the problem: The question "Mbona huendangi kanisa?" (Kiswahili for "Why don't you go to church?"), reflects a general concern about the noticeable decline in church attendance among young adults in Kenya, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing town of Rūaka. Many youth aged 18–35 are no longer prioritizing traditional church attendance and participation, instead choosing leisure activities or digital spiritual content. This decline signals a significant shift in religious practice and understanding, raising questions about the future role of institutional religion in urban Kenyan society.
Method/Methodology: Using qualitative methods—semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and literature review—the study thematically analyzes emerging patterns of religious disengagement and reinterpretation, applying Peter Berger’s secularization theory tailored to Kenya’s urban setting.
Results of the Study: Findings show young adults are not abandoning spirituality but are reshaping religious identities outside traditional institutions. Busy lifestyles, disillusionment with church leadership, and openness to pluralistic, individualized spirituality contribute to vibrant, culturally embedded spiritual expression despite declining institutional attendance.
Conclusion: The study reveals a complex shift in religious engagement among Rūaka’s youth, where declining church participation coincides with the rise of personalized and hybrid spiritualities. Influenced by moral autonomy, digital media, and dissatisfaction with institutions, young adults are redefining faith through a blend of Christian and alternative practices, framed by secularization theory and Ubuntu philosophy.
Recommendations: Religious institutions should adopt inclusive, dialogical approaches that honor community values like Ubuntu and leverage digital platforms. Prioritizing authentic relationships and responsiveness to social realities is key to relevance. Policymakers and religious leaders must support youth-focused programs integrating spirituality with cultural identity and contemporary challenges, fostering meaningful faith exploration.
Keywords: Church, Rūaka, Spirituality, Secularization, Urban, Young Adults.
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