Dennis Tongoi’s journey with The Navigators began during his final year in high school. Just one week after giving his life to Christ, a fellow student, David Odhuno, invited him to a Navigator Bible study. At the time, the high school ministry in Kenya was led by Ove Tinggaard — later joined by Dave Bidwell — serving schools including Nairobi School and Lenana School.
After high school, Dennis became part of the first Kenya Navigators Core Group — a small circle of young men and women being intentionally discipled. He was among the first wave of Navigators to enter campus as a group.
From Campus to Full-Time Ministry
After completing his studies, Dennis was invited to training with The Navigators. He was entrusted with leading a campus ministry at the University of Nairobi, Kabete Campus, partnering with Liz Barnett, while Les Johnstone led a vibrant ministry alongside him. At Kenyatta University, he worked closely with student labourers including Richard Mwongo, and participated in Operation Joshua — the evangelistic outreach mission that took teams to the Coast and Western Kenya.
Dennis and Irene married in 1985. Irene’s encounter with The Navigators had come in 1979 during her second year at Kenyatta University, through her roommate Emma Locho, who introduced her to Sarah Mwayitsi Imbuye (Mutua) and to Navigator Bible studies.
After graduating, Sarah invited Irene to live with her in the Golf Course flat alongside Amy Boie and Pamela Odhuno. Under Sarah’s mentorship, Irene learned to engage deeply with God’s Word through study, Scripture memory, and application — but discipleship extended far beyond Bible study. It included shared meals, honest conversations, prayer, and practical life skills such as hospitality, budgeting, and home management.
Irene became actively involved in ministry, accompanying Sarah to girls’ schools including Alliance, Pangani, and Moi Nairobi. She began ministering to students at Kenya High School and later taught at a girls’ high school in Nairobi. The influence of the Gospel in the school eventually led to Irene being dismissed from employment in 1982. Sarah invited her to live with her through that season.
Eldoret: The First Area Ministry
In 1989, Dennis and Irene were sent to Eldoret — the first area ministry outside Nairobi — to join a work that had been started earlier by Mark and Patty Bogart. They invested deeply in young men and women there, including Zenny Litaba, Mike Mutungi, Albert Nandi, Alington Simwa, Stella Njue, and Noel Owuor.
Dennis and Irene became Country Leaders in 1995, co-leading the ministry with Nick and Florence Wanyoike until 2000. They have remained a steady support to the Navigators Kenya in the years since.