Kenyans have recently engaged in active discussions across social media platforms following the airing of an episode of the NTV Holy Betrayal show, featuring Mombasa-based engineer Tom Midamba and hosted by investigative journalist Brian Obuya. Midamba’s revelations shed light on a troubling incident involving his wife’s association with what he described as a peculiar and potentially dangerous cult.
During his appearance, Midamba openly shared his distressing account, disclosing that his wife, a former esteemed teacher at Kanga High School in Migori, had made the decision to abandon her career and join an organized group he characterized as a cult.
Midamba recounted how his eldest daughter, upon completing eighth grade, unexpectedly departed from home to accompany a missionary acquaintance of her mother’s to Narok, expressing a desire to pursue missionary work as her life’s calling. Subsequently, communication between Midamba and his wife became sparse, and he observed unsettling behavior, including her reluctance to engage in financial matters, which aroused suspicions.
Growing increasingly alarmed, Midamba journeyed back to his hometown in Rongo to delve deeper into the situation. As his search for his wife persisted, he reported her disappearance to the authorities. Midamba also asserted that his wife’s vanishing coincided with her affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), noting her adoption of unconventional behaviors and lifestyle changes.
The story elicited a range of reactions from Kenyans, with some criticizing Midamba for purportedly neglecting his wife’s well-being, while others defended the SDA church, asserting that the reported behavior did not align with its teachings.
Mark Nyamgweso, drawing from his personal experience within the SDA community, emphasized that teachings within the church do not denounce education or medical intervention, contrary to the narrative presented.
Jaka Yuda dismissed the narrative as a tale of personal grievance, suggesting that Midamba’s circumstances were a result of marital discord rather than indicative of SDA teachings.
Daughty Kerubo raised concerns about religious extremism, acknowledging the positive teachings of the SDA church but cautioning against extremist interpretations. He referenced individuals who had transitioned from the SDA denomination to more extreme beliefs.
Barack Yonah criticized the depth of the investigation presented on the show, dismissing it as shallow and choreographed. He highlighted the absence of reported incidents similar to Midamba’s within the SDA institutions such as schools and universities.
In conclusion, the airing of Midamba’s story on the NTV Holy Betrayal show ignited a diverse array of responses from Kenyan viewers, reflecting varying perspectives on marital discord, religious teachings, and the portrayal of investigative journalism.
