Samburu Partnership
The Samburu people are a semi-nomadic ethnic group that lives in an arid area of north-central Kenya. Their main economic activity is raising animals such as goats, cattle, and camels. Being an area of low precipitation, the herdsmen have to spend significant time roaming with the animals in search of vegetation for grazing. Joshua Project estimates their population at 364,000 people.
The Samburu religious beliefs may be classified as “animist”, meaning that they believe the spirit world (which can do good or harm) governs their lives. Influencing the spirits is done through a witch doctor. Only a small percentage of the people have had any contact with the gospel.
The New Testament is available in their language, but most of the people are illiterate. In the last few years, selected translated portions of the Scriptures have been recorded and put on MP3 players, which are used to spread the Gospel in an oral manner.
From 2016 through 2025, IM missionaries Eddy and Amanda Simmons led an evangelistic and church-planting effort among the Samburu, which resulted in many becoming followers of Jesus, being baptized, and meeting in worship gatherings under trees. Francis is now the Samburu pastor of this group. Believers are beginning to expand to new areas, distributing these MP3 players, which are pre-loaded with selected portions of the Bible.
Since 2026, following the departure of resident missionaries from this area, IM Global Partners is now staying in contact with the Samburu and facilitating the continuation of the Samburu church under national leadership.
