Expansion Across Kenya

Ministry Areas

God has called forth labourers to different parts of Kenya, establishing communities of discipleship from the cities to the rural villages.

Eldoret

Eldoret

Uasin Gishu County • Pioneered 1984

Mark and Patty Bogart first established the Eldoret ministry in 1984 under Africa Inland Church Missions, quickly connecting with Navigator labourers in the region. Dennis and Irene Tongoi joined in 1989 and later led the work, investing deeply in young men and women. The Eldoret ministry has produced leaders who now serve across Kenya and beyond, and continues to run Core Combat — an intensive discipleship programme — drawing students from across the region.

Pioneers

  • Mark and Patty Bogart (1984)
  • Dennis and Irene Tongoi (1989)

Key Figures

Peter and Lydia Agwa, Bruce and Tricia Nygaard, Tom Owuor, Elijah Khamala (trained here before moving to Kakamega)

Current Status

Active — among the longest-running area ministries

Kisumu

Kisumu

Kisumu County • Pioneered 1993

David and Agiso Odhuno moved from Nairobi to Kisumu in December 1992, pioneering the ministry among high school students at Maseno School and Kisumu Boys, university students at Maseno University, and the wider community. A men's training flat, a Core Group, and a gift shop teaching Form 4 leavers business skills during school holidays were among their initiatives. After 11 years, the Odhunos transitioned to Botswana as missionaries (2005). Most of the leaders and labourers raised in Kisumu are now serving in Nairobi and beyond.

Pioneers

  • David and Agiso Odhuno (1993)

Key Figures

Milton Mao, Tonny Gobanga, Dr. Steven Gatitu, Monica Kiamba (née Njagi), Victor Oduru

Current Status

Active — producing leaders now serving across Kenya and globally

Machakos

Machakos

Machakos County • Pioneered 1994

Adams and Sarah Mutonga moved to Machakos in 1994, initially running a travelling ministry to teachers across Machakos, Embu, Kitui, and Makueni before establishing a local ministry (1998). With a 10-year plan that exceeded expectations in eight years, they handed over to Chris Amulo before moving to Tanzania. The Machakos ministry has since become a sending hub, training staff who have pioneered new ministries in Kitui, Wote, and Tanzania. The 30th anniversary was celebrated on 12 July 2025.

Pioneers

  • Adams and Sarah Mutonga (1994)

Key Figures

Chris and Anne Amulo, Victor Kilwake, Alex Kiamba, Justus Makau, Boniface Ndambuki (trained here; now in Kitui)

Current Status

Active — celebrating 30 years of ministry in 2024

Mombasa

Mombasa

Mombasa County • Pioneered 1994

Paul and Ciku Kimani pioneered the Mombasa ministry in 1994, the fourth area ministry established outside Nairobi and the first with a deliberate focus on reaching people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds at the coast. They served for five years before Paul returned to Nairobi to serve as Country Leader. The work has continued with an intentional heart for communities that have limited access to the Gospel.

Pioneers

  • Paul and Ciku Kimani (1994)

Key Figures

Paul and Ciku Kimani

Current Status

Active — with focus on coastal and cross-cultural contexts

Embu

Embu

Embu County • Pioneered Early 1990s

Lucy Kiviu and Florence Sutherland started the Embu ministry in the early 1990s. In 1998, Navigator missionaries George and Judy Gomoll joined the team for four years, building strong relationships and equipping disciplers through the Growing in Discipleship Bible study series.

Pioneers

  • Lucy Kiviu
  • Florence Sutherland (from Zambia)
  • George and Judy Gomoll (1998–2001)

Key Figures

Monica Njagi (now Kiamba) — discipled during this period

Current Status

Active

Nakuru

Nakuru

Nakuru County • Pioneered 1982

The Nakuru ministry had an early presence when Ove and Annmarie Tinggaard moved there in 1982 to give emerging Kenyan leaders room to take root, and to minister to teachers in Western Kenya. The ministry was re-established in 2010. Today, Susan Kamau and Loice Kabaki serve among women, children, and youth in an urban majority community through Discipling for Development (D4D), including birth classes and preparation for expectant mothers as a unique evangelism opportunity.

Pioneers

  • Ove and Annmarie Tinggaard (1982–1987)
  • Re-established by Travis and Lydia Klingforth (2010)

Key Figures

Susan Kamau, Loice Kabaki

Current Status

Active — including Discipling for Development (D4D) ministry

Kakamega

Kakamega

Kakamega County • Pioneered 2011

In 2009, Chris Amulo and a student team visited Masinde Muliro University (MMUST) and prayed through Genesis 22:17–18 for a Navigator ministry in Kakamega. A Bible study began in 2011 through Elijah Khamala, Dr. Winston Wanjala, and God's Manifestation (GM) Crew, a Christian dance group whose energy energised the early ministry. Elijah completed DMLT training and moved to Kakamega as a Gift Income Person in 2016. Vincent Abwao, previously a MMUST student, joined him. Elijah married Sylvia — herself discipled through the Eldoret ministry — in 2021. The ministry now covers MMUST, Sigalagala National Polytechnic, KMTC, a local high school, and Core Group.

Pioneers

  • Elijah Khamala (2016, as Gift Income Person)

Key Figures

Elijah and Sylvia Khamala, Vincent Abwao, Dr. Winston Wanjala

Current Status

Active and growing — expanded to Sigalagala National Polytechnic and KMTC

Kitui

Kitui

Kitui County • Pioneered 2018

Boniface Ndambuki was discipled in Machakos before the Lord burdened his heart for Kitui. After prayer and a year of visiting and praying for the area, he and Kate moved to Kitui in 2018. They started at South-Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) before pivoting to SEKU's town campus, Kenya Water Training Institute, and KMTC. Core Group launched in 2022, drawing primarily local young people. An annual Nav Connect brings together different generations. A young professionals' ministry grew organically from women who sought discipleship. The team is now training Manoti through DMLT.

Pioneers

  • Boniface and Kate Ndambuki (2018)

Key Figures

Boniface and Kate Ndambuki, Daniel Ngurimu, Hans Munyua

Current Status

Active — including Core Group, young professionals, and campus ministry

Wote, Makueni

Wote, Makueni

Makueni County • Pioneered 2022

After 16 years serving at Machakos University, Justus Makau felt the Lord calling him to Wote — a conviction his wife Annrose had been praying about independently. The Machakos team visited and prayed for Wote for a year before the Makaus made the move in July 2022. Their work at Wote Technical Training Institute has drawn eager students who also serve alongside the team in a local high school. Trusting God through Psalm 2:8 and Isaiah 45:1.

Pioneers

  • Justus and Annrose Makau (2022)

Key Figures

Justus and Annrose Makau, Mark Mwaniki (leads Machakos after Justus)

Current Status

Active — ministry at Wote Technical Training Institute and a local high school

Kwale

Kwale

Kwale County • Pioneered c.2008

Margaret Ngaira has been serving among the Digo people group in Kwale for about 17 years, implementing the Discipling for Development (D4D) ministry model. She works with local pastors who disciple and train in their churches and the community, witnessing significant spiritual, church, and community growth and transformation.

Pioneers

  • Margaret Ngaira

Key Figures

Margaret Ngaira

Current Status

Active — 17 years of ministry among the Digo people group

Tisinye, Migori

Tisinye, Migori

Migori County • Pioneered 2008 (merger with Mission Moving Mountains)

Mission Moving Mountains — now known as Discipling for Development (D4D) — merged with The Navigators in 2008. The Whitneys serve among the Kuria people in Tisinye, a rural community where orality is the primary discipleship tool. They moved to Nairobi in 2021 and now support the local team led by Pastor Marua Boke and Pastor Tabani Boke and his wife Margaret. This ministry is also connected to the economic empowerment community established through Margaret Obonyo (Mama Samaki), whose testimony led to three churches being planted in surrounding villages.

Pioneers

  • Paul and Stephanie Whitney (from Tanzania)

Key Figures

Paul and Stephanie Whitney, Pastor Marua Boke, Pastor Tabani Boke and Margaret, Margaret Obonyo (Mama Samaki)

Current Status

Active — led by local Kuria pastors; Whitneys now support from Nairobi