There is no name that evokes fear and reverence in Western Kenya, than that of the Dini ya Msambwa founder, prophet and freedom fighter Elijah Masinde.
Masinde was an idolised leader who in real life and in myth was shrouded with strange phenomena according to Vincent Simiyu, author of the prophet's biography titled: Elijah Masinde.
Here are some;
1. He was buried in a sitting position
Masinde, the founder of the Dini ya Msambwa sect predicted his own death.
He reportedly showed his son a big Kumwirurusia tree as the exact place he would be buried. When he died, he was buried in a sitting position and the grave site became a shrine where every June, thousands of pilgrims of the Dini Ya Msambwa faith pay homage, feast and pray facing Mt Elgon.
2. Death Will - Skeleton
Before he died, Masinde had instructed that he be buried near the said tree.
The elders, however, changed his will and dug a different spot where they stumbled upon a human skeleton despite no relative being buried there.
They interpreted it as a bad sign and reverted to his earlier wish.
3. Power
Masinde reportedly possessed a rare trait. He is said to have once, while at Kimilili on a bright shiny day, pointed at a shopkeeper and shouted that by the end of a rain that was yet to start, the shopkeeper would be dead.
According to witnesses, just as Masinde had prophecised rain started falling out of nowhere. The said shopkeeper fell and rolled three times in his shop and when the rains stopped he was dead.
4. Mother
Masinde's mother, Wabomba Mwasame, was the first of the three wives and originated from Omukhana Mumeme clan known for producing prophets.
This was believed to be the reason why he made prophecies that apparently came to pass including the expulsion of the White man during the colonial period.
5. Divine football
It is a known fact that Masinde loved football. He gained fame with his mastery that earned him a permanent place in the first team of Kimilili.
Through his soccer exploits, Masinde, who was the captain of Bukusu FC, once kicked a ball that would never be seen again.
This led to the rise of the myth that Masinde kicked the ball to heaven and is believed to this day.
6. Dini Ya Msambwa
Masinde abandoned soccer in 1942 and around this time reportedly started mobilising close friends to secret meetings, culminating with the formation of Dini Ya Msambwa.
The Dini Ya Msambwa sect enforced strict moral adherence, and as the founder, Masinde at times assaulted women perceived to be indecently dressed, or working in bars.
The reputation he built as the sect’s enforcer led him to spend more than 30 years of his life in jail for various offences, including assaulting women and provincial administrations.
[caption caption="Shrine where prophet Elijah Masinde was buried"]
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[caption caption="Shrine where prophet Elijah Masinde was buried"][/caption]
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