THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS (AGAA) ON AFRICAN CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING, IMENTI SOUTH DISTRICT, MERU COUNTY

Abstract

There are many problems being experienced by individuals in the society today. These problems translate to individual pathologies which affects the society and systems of living in life. These individual pathologies have caused many people to seek help from the health practitioners including traditional healers (agaa) and African Christian counselors in Imenti South District. The research aimed at investigating factors causing African Christian counseling client to seek help for their problems from Traditional healers. The research investigated what is lacking in African Christian counseling in terms of methods, procedures, protocols that makes African Christian counseling client seek help from Traditional healers. Literature review relevant to the study was discussed in chapter two. It was presented in terms of topics and subtopics. It dealt with the role and practices of Traditional healers and African Christian counselors, Biblical stand on counseling was also highlighted, problems experienced in the society, relationship of culture and healing and qualities of good counselor. The research used Biblical, Ethnographical and Clinical theory (B.E.C) expanded by Ikenye (2002) who outlined Biblical, Ethnographic and Clinical method as a theory that is relevant in modern counseling to make counseling effective. Conceptual framework was presented as a procedure to understanding the factors that make African Christian counseling clients seek traditional healers. It explained that problems experienced by Christians translate to individual pathologies causing African Christians counseling clients seek help from the health practitioners in the district. Some Christians seek traditional healers rather than Christian counselors causing confusion in the churches in Imenti South District.. Research methodology used in the study was integrative method which combines qualitative, quantitative and case studies. It is integrated with evaluative and comparative methods. The study targeted the population of 100 people though the actual respondents were 84. Sampling was done using purposive sampling leading to snow ball sampling. Questionnaire and interviews were administered to the targeted population. Collected data was coded and analyzed quantitatively, qualitatively and in terms of case studies according to the objectives. Findings were presented, analyzed and interpreted in terms of distribution tables, percentage, figures and case studies. . Study findings indicated that they are many reasons as to why Christians seek to traditional healers and that many Christians prefer traditional healers. Recommendation and conclusions are done in relation to data collected and objectives of the study. Areas for further research are identified in process of data analysis and presented in chapter five.