Tonny Onyulo
Tonny Onyulo is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Tonny Onyulo
‘Acknowledging reality,’ a splinter church in Kenya ordains married Catholic priests
By Tonny Onyulo — October 16, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Attracted by the prospect of serving God while raising a family, Catholic priests have left the mainstream faith for the Renewed Universal Catholic Church.
In Kenya, locals debate a boom in witch doctor tourism
By Tonny Onyulo — October 10, 2018
MOMBASA, Kenya (RNS) — Tourists normally come for snorkeling and lounging on sun-splashed beaches, but lately many come to seek the counsel of witch doctors about illnesses, runs of bad luck or bad marriages.
LBGT refugees say they face hostility, violence in Kenyan camp
By Tonny Onyulo — September 20, 2018
KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP, Kenya (RNS) – Many of their fellow refugees reportedly believe that homosexuality is wrong and gays must be punished.
Kenyan religious leaders fight to rescue young girls from child marriage
By Tonny Onyulo — September 11, 2018
SAMBURU, Kenya (RNS) — Beading is a form of sexual enslavement that lets older men engage in intercourse with young girls, even when they do not intend to marry them.
Banned from meeting in church, Rwandan worshippers gather at home
By Tonny Onyulo — September 6, 2018
KIGALI, Rwanda (RNS) — An estimated 8,000 churches and 100 mosques have been closed in what some say is a human rights violation, but which the government defends as a move to require clergy to meet modest standards for education.
Kenya’s Legio Maria sprouts believers in the shadow of the Catholic Church
By Tonny Onyulo — August 22, 2018
KISUMU, Kenya (RNS) – The group is often mistaken as being Catholic because it celebrates the main elements of the traditional Latin Mass. But its beliefs are anything but.
Vigilante killings in Tanzania spur a hunt for witch-hunters
By Tonny Onyulo — August 9, 2018
(RNS) — The dark side of the country's widespread belief in witchcraft is that people are quick to blame supposed conjurers — mostly older women —for their misfortunes.
At world’s largest refugee camp, trauma victims seek healing in God
By Tonny Onyulo — August 8, 2018
BIDI BIDI REFUGEE CAMP, Uganda (RNS) – 'The church gives them new hope, which is important to refugees and any person who has experienced trauma,' says a counselor.
Popular Kenyan priest, suspended for rapping, hasn’t missed a beat with youth
By Tonny Onyulo — June 29, 2018
(RNS) — His rapping is drawing more youth to join the church. That, in turn, will have a positive impact on society, he said.
Pope wraps up Africa visit, says ‘God is peace, salaam’
By Tonny Onyulo — November 30, 2015
KAMPALA, Uganda — Pope Francis wrapped up his six-day trip to Africa in the war-torn Central Africa Republic on Monday by warning that religious conflicts are spawning civil war, terrorism and suffering throughout the continent.
Ugandans line the streets ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival
By Tonny Onyulo — November 27, 2015
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) Some waited more than 12 hours along the route outside Entebbe International Airport.
Some African Catholics call on pope to let priests marry
By Tonny Onyulo — November 23, 2015
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) In a society that places a high value on marriage and childbearing, some in Africa hope to present Pope Francis with a petition this week asking that priests be allowed to wed.
Concerns grow over radicalized Kenyan youths in Islamic militia
By Tonny Onyulo — June 22, 2015
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Kenya is still grappling with how to best counter increasingly emboldened Islamic al-Shabab militants in the wake of the attacks at Garissa University that left 148 dead in April.
Al-Shabab militants create chaos, pain for Somalis
By Tonny Onyulo — April 20, 2015
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Al-Shabab militants have targeted government offices, U.N. facilities, the airport, the president's palace, hotels and restaurants in their bid to overthrow the government.
‘I wish I could also have died’: Boko Haram haunts kids
By Tonny Onyulo — March 11, 2015
BAGA SOLA, Chad (RNS) Children make up about half of the Nigerians coming to the crowded Baga Sola refugee camp. Many are orphans sinking into despair, traumatized from the horrors they've witnessed and facing an uncertain future.
