Former political activist and businessman Bishop Tom Obingo says his journey from frontline politics to church leadership has inspired him to focus on supporting widows, orphans and other vulnerable members of society.
Obingo, the founding bishop and chairman of Great Restoration Gospel Ministries (GRGM), based in Manyatta, Kisumu Central Sub-County, said his ministry prioritizes community outreach alongside evangelism.
Speaking in an interview, Obingo said he was actively involved in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy in the early 1990s, working as a youth operative for the then opposition Ford-Kenya party led by the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
He said he later supported Raila Odinga’s political campaigns and participated in assignments across the country during the push for political change.
Obingo also served as a personal assistant to former Planning Cabinet Secretary Adhu Awiti and is currently a director at Molo Line Transport Company.
Before founding GRGM about three years ago, Obingo worshipped at Revival Gospel Ministry, where he rose to the position of assistant bishop.
He said his decision to establish his own ministry was driven by a desire to place greater emphasis on serving vulnerable members of society.
“Many churches have widows, orphans and disadvantaged people within their congregations, but some leaders focus more on accumulating wealth than addressing their needs,” Obingo said.
He alleged that some clergy prioritize collecting tithes and offerings while neglecting the welfare of vulnerable believers.
Obingo, who also founded the Nyanza Prophetic Clergy (NPC), said divisions and leadership struggles within some churches have distracted religious leaders from their pastoral responsibilities.
He said GRGM has launched programmes to support widows and orphans, including paying school fees for children and helping provide shelter for widowed families.
According to Obingo, he had personally supported several orphaned children with education even before becoming a bishop, with some now employed in various sectors.
He said the church is planning to acquire land to construct a permanent place of worship.
Obingo credited his late mother, whom he described as a prophetess, with encouraging him to enter Christian ministry.
He said she urged him to establish a church in his home area of Karachuonyo Constituency and inspired his commitment to public service.
“She always reminded me, and even told my wife, that I was born to serve people,” he said.
Obingo said GRGM now has branches in several parts of Kenya, including Busia County, and plans to expand further.
He said the Nyanza Prophetic Clergy seeks to unite church leaders across the Nyanza region while supporting charitable initiatives for disadvantaged communities.
According to Obingo, the organisation, whose patron is Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, is also involved in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and civic engagement.
He said the clergy group supports President William Ruto’s bid for a second term, citing what he described as the government’s development record in the Nyanza region.
Obingo said members of the organisation intend to mobilise support for the president ahead of the next General Election.
Outside the church, Obingo said Molo Line Transport Company employs 22 former political youth activists on permanent terms.
He said many former activists who campaigned for political parties during the country’s democratic transition were later abandoned, with some suffering injuries or losing their lives.
Obingo said he is lobbying for greater recognition and support for former political activists through an initiative known as Retired Veterans.
He said the initiative was first discussed with the late Raila Odinga, who had expressed support before the proposal stalled.
Obingo said he hopes political leaders who benefited from the efforts of former youth activists will eventually support their welfare.
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