Effectiveness of African Inland Church In-Reach Pastoral Programs on Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in Baringo Central, Kenya

Abstract

Domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) remains a persistent challenge in Kenya, including within Christian families, despite teachings that emphasize human dignity and non-violence. In Baringo County, where the Africa Inland Church (AIC) is predominant, high levels of DGBV reveal a disconnect between church teachings and lived realities, raising questions about the effectiveness of church interventions. This study assessed the impact of AIC in-reach pastoral programs in addressing and reducing DGBV in the Baring Central Region. Guided by the Triangular Theory of Love and Family Systems Theory, the study employed a descriptive research design targeting a population of 1,500, with a sample of 306 respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) formula. Data were collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, then analyzed using content, narrative, and thematic approaches, and presented via frequency tables, charts, and verbatim excerpts. Findings provide insights into the role of pastoral programs in mitigating DGBV within church communities.