The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) is a Protestant denomination in Kenya, primarily based in the Central region.
The church is part of the Holy Catholic (Universal) Church with an estimated 4 million members, over 3,200 congregations, 500 parishes, and more than 60 presbyteries across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Its headquarters is in Jitegemea House, Muhoho Avenue, South C, Nairobi.
PCEA Leadership Structure and Governance
PCEA operates under a Reformed Presbyterian system, grounded in structured governance and shared leadership.
The church follows Biblical teachings, the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, and principles of the Protestant Reformation.
It has four major levels of governance, including Parish Sessions, Presbyteries, Regional Councils, and the General Assembly.
Parish Sessions consist of ministers and elders who lead congregations. These are organized into parishes, which form presbyteries.
Presbyteries are further grouped into regional councils, culminating in the General Assembly, the highest governing body and final authority on doctrine and policy.
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The General Assembly includes hundreds of commissioners drawn from across the church and oversees judicial, administrative, and spiritual matters.
PCEA currently has over 4 million members, more than 3,200 congregations, 500 parishes, and 61 presbyteries across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
At the top is the General Assembly, which is the governing body of the entire church and the highest court of appeal in judicial matters. It has 400 voting commissioners drawn from General Assembly officials, ministers, and ruling elders commissioned by presbyteries.
Current PCEA senior leadership
| Moderator, 24th General Assembly | Rt. Rev. Patrick Thegu Mutahi |
| Secretary General | Rev. Dr. Robert Waihenya |
| Deputy Secretary General | Rev. John Mbae |
| Honorary Treasurer | Elder David N. Ndumo |
The church also runs multiple departments, including youth, women’s guild, education, finance, mission work, and training.
Assets Owned by PCEA
Since its start, the church has accumulated investments across multiple sectors.
In healthcare, it owns major mission hospitals that also serve as referral centers, including:
- PCEA Kikuyu Hospital
- PCEA Tumutumu hospitals
- PCEA Chogoria hospitals
In education, the church operates colleges, secondary schools, primary schools and theological colleges.
Universities and Colleges
- Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA), Thogoto – Kiambu
- PCEA Rubate Teachers Training College, Rubate – Embu
- PCEA Tumutumu Nursing School, Tumutumu – Nyeri
- PCEA Chogoria Nursing School, Chogoria – Tharaka Nithi
- PCEA Bible Training Institute (various presbyteries)
- PCEA Thogoto Teachers Training Complex – Kiambu
Secondary Schools
- PCEA Kikuyu Girls High School – Kiambu
- PCEA Kambui Girls High School – Kiambu
- PCEA Ruiru Secondary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Githunguri Secondary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Kikuyu Boys Secondary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Tumutumu Girls High School – Nyeri
- PCEA Chogoria Girls High School – Tharaka Nithi
- PCEA Nkubu High School – Meru
- PCEA Kerugoya Secondary School – Kirinyaga
- PCEA Kapsabet Secondary School – Nandi
Primary Schools
- PCEA Kikuyu Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Thogoto Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Kambui Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Githunguri Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Ruiru Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Kirigiti Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Limuru Primary School – Kiambu
- PCEA Tumutumu Primary School – Nyeri
- PCEA Chogoria Primary School – Tharaka Nithi
- PCEA Nkubu Primary School – Meru
PCEA also owns several community outreach centers, children’s homes and special schools across the country, including
- PCEA Eastleigh Community Center
- PCEA Kibwezi Education Center
- Githiga Children’s Home
- Kambui W.G. Home for the Physically Handicapped
- Wandumbi Special School
- Tumu Tumu School for the Deaf
- Kambui School for the Deaf
- PCEA Shalom House Center
- PCEA Thogoto Home for the Aged
The church also controls real estate assets, much of it acquired during the colonial mission period and now used for churches, schools, hospitals, and development projects.
PCEA Hotels and Hospitality Facilities
| Milele Hotel Nairobi | Nairobi | Hotel, guest house and conference facility |
| Milele Beach Hotel | North Coast, Mombasa | Beach hotel, guest house and conference facility |
| Milele Resort Nakuru | Nakuru | Resort and guest house |
| PCEA Wogect Centre (Wogect Hotel) | Mombasa | Hotel and conference facility |
| PCEA Lay Training & Conference Centre | Kikuyu, Kiambu | Training and conference facility |
PCEA also has financial and investment structures, including SACCO’s. It has partnered with BRITAM to offer insurance services to its members.
The church owns Kirk TV, a faith-based religious broadcasting platform.
Also Read: PCEA Asks Members to Clear KSh700 Million Debt of Luxury Hotel It Owns
History of PCEA in Kenya
In 1891, when Scottish missionaries arrived in Kibwezi, they established the East African Scottish Mission, and the first church and school were set up in 1892
The mission later moved to Dagoretti in 1898 and then to Thogoto in 1899, where it became a major center of operations.
Following the death of missionary Thomas Watson in 1900, the Church of Scotland took over management.
Medical work expanded significantly after Dr. John W. Arthur arrived in 1907, leading to the opening of Hunter Memorial Hospital in 1908, which is now PCEA Kikuyu Hospital.
The mission later expanded into the Mount Kenya region, with missionary work reaching Meru by 1913–1916.
In 1920, the the Church governance structure began with the establishment of parish sessions, the ordination of elders, and the creation of the Presbytery of British East Africa.
The first African clergy member was ordained in 1926.
In 1956, the modern PCEA was formally established through the merger of the Church of Scotland Mission and the Gospel Missionary Society.
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