Fredrick Nzwili

Fredrick Nzwili is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more than 15 years, he has written about religion, politics, peace and conflict, development, security, environment and wildlife. His articles have appeared in international media organizations among others; The Tablet, The Christian Science Monitor, The National Geographic and Kenyan local newspapers; The Standard and the People Daily.

All Stories by Fredrick Nzwili

Eritrean Orthodox patriarch dies after 16 years in detention

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 11, 2022

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Abune Antonios had been in solitary confinement for his resistance to government interference in the church.

After moving out of their comfort zone, atheists in Kenya gain visibility

By Fredrick Nzwili — February 7, 2022

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A small atheist organization in Kenya is gaining ground in this largely Christian nation as it tackles political ideologies and human rights matters, wading into debates outside its usual critiques of religion.

In Africa, hijab is no barrier to success in beauty pageants

By Fredrick Nzwili — January 12, 2022

(RNS) — Two young women have won prominent beauty titles while keeping their heads covered according to Muslim tradition.

African faith leaders combat misleading theologies that promise cures for COVID-19

By Fredrick Nzwili — December 6, 2021

(RNS) — A series of symposiums aims to educate clergy and unify their churches against faith healing and other practices.

Kenyan Muslim leaders demand government action on unexplained disappearances

By Fredrick Nzwili — November 16, 2021

(RNS) — Muslim leaders fear a government campaign against terrorism has transformed into war against Islam and Muslims.

Kenyan Methodists defy ban on campaigning at church, saying ‘humans are political’

By Fredrick Nzwili — September 22, 2021

(RNS) — One Christian official said resistance to church guidelines on political speech risks a repeat of electoral violence in 2008.

Kenyan Anglican province defies moratorium to ordain woman bishop

By Fredrick Nzwili — September 15, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The Rev. Rose Okeno was installed as bishop of the Butere Diocese on Sunday, even as a 2018 moratorium of the Global Anglican Future Conference resolved to halt the consecration of women into the episcopate until a consensus is reached.

Amid hesitation in African Anglican provinces, Kenya appoints first two women bishops

By Fredrick Nzwili — August 5, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The consecration of women as bishops in the eastern African nation is still controversial.

Nigerian herders kill 33, burn 4 churches days after kidnapping schoolchildren

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 16, 2021

(RNS) — 'This is religious persecution. We must call it that. I have 1,000 reasons to believe so,' said a local leader.

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Congolese cleric and statesman, dies at 81

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 14, 2021

(RNS) — The former archbishop of Kinshasa is remembered as both a church leader and a statesman who fought fearlessly for human rights, and helped guide the nation through a turbulent political transition.

In Kenya, faith groups work to resettle youth returning from al-Shabab

By Fredrick Nzwili — July 2, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — More than 300 such youths who had traveled to Somalia for training as jihadists had been rescued and brought back to the country.

Kenyan woman ‘marries’ the Holy Spirit in Anglican ceremony

By Fredrick Nzwili — June 4, 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A man who said he is her husband viewed the most recent ceremony differently: “There are not two marriages here. She is my wife.”

Kenyan Rastafarians seek to legalize marijuana over doubts of other faith leaders

By Fredrick Nzwili — May 20, 2021

(RNS) — ‘We want the world to no longer see it as a narcotic, but a medical plant that can help the creation,’ said a Rastafarian leader.

Global pressure mounts for Nigerian atheist’s release after year in detention

By Fredrick Nzwili — April 30, 2021

(RNS) — The 37-year-old Bala, who recanted his Muslim faith in 2014, has faced numerous death threats and harassment, according to Humanist International.