Meet the men who turned Monday into day of worship and friendship

The fellowship draws men from all walks of life: Businessmen, professionals, students, and young fathers. Monday nights stretch long enough for reflection, prayer, and music that speaks to everyone, old and young. Beyond worship, it has evolved into a network of support, mentorship, and guidance —a place where men can discuss life, faith, and the challenges they face, something rare in today’s fast-paced world.

Kenneth Karongo, 37, is the current chairman of Cadets Men Fellowship, ACK St Phillips, Gachie, Kiambu. He has been at the helm of the interdenominational men’s group for several years.

“We know the men who come here go through a lot of things—challenges they can’t share out there,” Karongo explains, “But when we come together and worship God, we build each other spiritually, socially, economically. Many testify that after the initial meeting, they never fail to return because of the impact worship has on their lives.”

The fellowship, he says, has been consistent since its founding in 2005. Now, it has more than 500 members. The Monday evening sessions are carefully structured but intentionally informal.

“We have leaders who decide on the discussion topics, others who lead music, and some who facilitate the conversations. We don’t preach, we just discuss issues affecting men for an hour, then worship together for another hour, and finally share tea while talking about everyday matters like politics, football and general life,” he adds.

Membership, he emphasises, is open to all men. “You just have to be a man. You don’t have to be born again or come from a specific church. It’s interdenominational. Men come as they are, and they leave without judgment, finding closeness with God in their own way.”

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“Men need more forums like this because we often don’t have platforms to express ourselves. Women have spaces to talk, to cry on each other’s shoulders. Men, however, struggle alone. Many die by suicide every day simply because they have no one to talk to. Here, you can be yourself and lean on your brothers when life gets heavy.”

Beyond spiritual growth, the fellowship is also a support network. Members share job opportunities, showcase talents, and even assist with school fees when possible.

Alongside the fellowship’s structured discussions, music forms the heartbeat of Cadets Men Fellowship. Kamau Karongo, one of the group’s founders and the current lead of the worship team, has been instrumental in keeping this rhythm alive for over two decades. With a team that includes a guitarist and pianist, he ensures that worship not only uplifts the spirit but also binds the men together in a shared experience of vulnerability and encouragement.

Reflecting on the fellowship’s origins, Kamau recalls that the gatherings initially revolved around music, drama, and social visits.

“Some men like Eric Mwangi of Maridady Motors and Wakili Chris Wainaina, have been meeting for many years,” he says. Women were part of the early gatherings, but as they grew older, many married and moved on. (Some of) the men remained, and that’s how the men’s fellowship came about,” he adds.

Kamau highlights the fellowship’s impact through individual stories.

“There is one guy called Tony, a mechanic. I invited him to the fellowship; he didn’t come for a year, but once he joined, he never missed again. Through the fellowship, he gained contacts, customers, and referrals. One day he was attacked by thieves and seriously injured. By morning, we had raised Sh30,000 for him, which eventually grew to Sh80,000. He built a house and even met his spouse through the fellowship. That, for me, is a very powerful testimony of change.”

Fostering brotherhood

Maintaining regular attendance, he says, requires no strict enforcement. “I don’t tell them to be committed. I just do what I do, and people follow because they like what they see. You saw how many people came—over 90, from 20 different churches. Men want to be together, to support each other, without emotional performances in front of women. They are free to express themselves amongst other men.”

Beyond Monday evenings, the fellowship fosters brotherhood through various initiatives and shared experiences. “Last week, 150 men gathered in Makuyu for a camp. The owner provided five houses and donated Sh100,000. We go camping, attend weddings, and engage in social support,” Kamau explains.

For Samuel Gitau, 35, a long-time member, Monday evenings are a cornerstone of his life and faith. Reflecting on what draws him back each week, he says, “What keeps me coming back here is how men worship God in togetherness, how you are able to come together as men, and also to hear your views and discuss matters concerning men in general.”

Samuel’s journey with the group began 20 years ago when he joined as a young man eager to connect with peers who shared his faith. “I joined Cadets as a young man, and I’ve grown to be a man in the same group. That was 2005,” he recalls. For him, the appeal has always been the unique sense of brotherhood and spiritual camaraderie.

The fellowship has also reshaped his understanding of masculinity and brotherhood. “I’m able to see life from a different angle. I’ve come to know that there are men who love God. In society, sometimes we are viewed as the weakest vessel, but since I joined, we are growing strong each day.”

He reflects on personal experiences where the fellowship has been transformative. “I solemnised my marriage last year, and these guys fully supported me. I felt this is where I belong. They supported me financially and were there for me from day one when I created the wedding committee.”

Beyond social and financial support, the fellowship has nurtured his spiritual growth. “It’s drawing me closer to God. I’m able to pray for myself and also to learn different songs.”

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For Simon Mungai, 29, better known as “Governor,” this is more than a physical space; it is a digital movement.

“I run a media company, and I thought of a way where I can minister to other people through the work that I do, or the skills that I have. That’s how I started the social media accounts for Cadets.”

His initiative has not only brought the fellowship online, but also helped men who cannot attend in person to connect, engage, and find support.

The digital platform has proven to be a powerful connector because men who may never set foot in the fellowship physically can benefit too.

The social media response, he says, has been revealing. “The most surprising feedback is that people don’t believe men can gather together in large numbers to fellowship genuinely as they worship God. Whether it’s ladies or men, many are amazed that men can gather, worship, and support each other—it has never happened like this before.”

Looking ahead, Simon envisions an even larger role for Cadets in shaping the lives of young men, especially those often overlooked or marginalised.

“How I perceive it is that it will be able to bridge the gap for the boy child, the men who feel diminished. It will enable a place where men can come, be vulnerable, be real, and get help. We are bringing up the male figure again to where it was before it was diminished.”

For Francis Waweru, attending Cadets Men Fellowship for the first time was a deliberate step toward spiritual nourishment. He explains, “What made me attend today is because I needed spiritual knowledge and nourishment. As a Christian, you need that fellowship.”

Francis discovered the fellowship through social media.

“The kind of worship they do, especially Kamau Karongo, and the way they used to go to the streets and worship…when you join them, it’s different from any other kind of worship. The Holy Spirit is moving. You can feel the atmosphere change. Stress is gone. Depression is gone.”

What struck Francis most was the authenticity of the leaders. “The people leading the worship are born again. They know Christ. They are not just singing here for money. They’ve been called to do so. When we are here, we are not just wasting time—we are gaining a lot, for our own benefit.”

Walking into his first Monday session, Francis felt immediately welcome. “These guys are welcoming. They don’t care which church you go to or what domination you belong to. They just welcome you. They are hospitable.”

The atmosphere, he notes, was a rare experience: a room full of men, young and old, gathered purely to worship together. “It’s very hard to find a group of men worshipping together. Normally, in many churches, you’ll find women, but here it’s different. They are businessmen and men from all walks of life, singing for the Lord. It’s amazing.”

Reflecting on his previous Mondays, Francis compares the fellowship to a personal oasis.

“On Mondays, after work, I’d just go home. It’s a good house, it’s not bad, but you need somewhere…here, you start worshipping the Lord. It’s a sacrifice, because most people relax on Mondays. Even preachers usually take Mondays off, but this one is different.”

For men considering joining, his message is simple: “Come, you’re welcome. Feel at home. It’s like your own home, your father’s house. It doesn’t matter what colour you are, what tribe you belong to, or if you’re a sinner or born again. Every man is welcome. As long as you’re a man, you belong here.”

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