Former Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Moderator Rev. Dr David Githii has declared his intention to contest Kenya’s 2027 presidential election as an independent candidate.
Githii made the declaration at El-Gibbor Church on October 11, where he addressed journalists alongside clergy and outlined his political ambitions and vision for the country.
Githii is a former teacher, theologian and church leader who headed the PCEA General Assembly from 2003 to 2009.
Early Life and Family Background
David Muhia Githii was born in Kiwanja village in the former Kajiado District.
Speaking in an interview with The Standard, David explained that he grew up in a family that faced financial difficulties in his early childhood.
His father, Benson Githii, was detained during the colonial period, and Githii’s entry into primary school was delayed because his mother could not afford the KSh 6 school fees.
Githii enrolled in Class 1 at about 12 years old and attended Gikambura Primary School in the Kikuyu area between 1959 and 1965.
In his personal life, the former PCEA moderator is married to Lucy Wanjiku and has six children, including Benson, Mary, Nicholas, Amos, Sammy and Theresia.
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Education
Githii attended Kirangari High School from 1966 to 1969 before proceeding to Thogoto Teachers College in Kikuyu, where he trained as a teacher.
He later pursued theological studies at St Paul’s United Theological College in Limuru before pursuing a postgraduate degree in the United States.
David Githii studied at the University of Dubuque in Iowa and Fuller Theological Seminary in California, earning advanced theological qualifications, including a doctoral degree in missiology.
Career as a Teacher and Educationist
Before becoming a full-time minister, Githii worked as a teacher. In 1977, he was posted to Barut-Rhoda Primary School in Nakuru.
However, he left the teaching profession in 1980 to pursue Christian ministry and taught at several institutions, including Daystar University, St Paul’s, and Presbyterian theological and training institutions.
Elong’o Publishers also identifies him as a lecturer at the Presbyterian University of East Africa.
David Githii at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa
Githii joined pastoral ministry in 1980 and underwent theological training before serving in different PCEA congregations.
He worked in parishes in Kikuyu, Nakuru and Nairobi. Before he was elected Moderator, he served as the minister in charge of the Eastleigh parish in Nairobi.
Additionally, David served in presbytery-level administrative roles and responsibilities connected to ministerial and lay training.
In April 2003, Githii was elected Moderator of the PCEA General Assembly, becoming the denomination’s highest-ranking elected leader until April 2009, completing a six-year tenure at the helm of the church.
During his tenure, David Githii advocated a style of worship more relevant to African cultural contexts.
In 2004, a campaign supported by Githii and other church figures led to the removal of historical stained-glass windows, metal grilles and other fittings from St Andrew’s Church in Nairobi.
“The PCEA style of worship should be modeled in the African context. The Scottish missionaries, in giving us the Gospel, had wrapped it in Scottish cultural aspects, which are today hampering delivery of the Gospel in PCEA to embrace more young people,” David Githii said in his inaugural address.
Githii also campaigned against symbols he believed had satanic associations in church buildings and government institutions, including Parliament Buildings.
Founding of El-Gibbor Church
Githii’s relationship with PCEA deteriorated over religious and moral disagreements, including his allegations concerning homosexuality and alleged satanic practices within the church.
In April 2014, The Standard reported that PCEA had accepted his resignation and his wish to sever ties with the denomination.
However, the church’s leadership publicly rejected his allegations, describing them as unfounded and disputing his characterization of church practices.
Githii later established El-Gibbor Church in the Ruiru area of Kiambu County in February 2014.
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Entry Into Politics
Githii’s move into electoral politics began before his first presidential campaign. In the 2013 General Election, Githii contested the Kiambu governor’s seat on a United Democratic Forum (UDF) ticket.
According to The Star, he received 7,787 votes and finished fourth, behind William Kabogo, who won.
In July 2021, Githii announced at El-Gibbor Church that he would contest the presidency in the August 2022 General Election and launched his formal presidential bid in March 2022.
His campaign manifesto focused on corruption, public borrowing, taxation, and economic empowerment.
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