In the busy business town of Kiambu, about 17km north of Nairobi, Kenya's capital, a structure is slowly and meticulously being erected.  But this is not just any other structure, for indeed, there are many in Kiambu. This is more than just a conglomeration of sticks and stones;this is history in the making.

When complete, this structure will be the Emmanuel (God with us) church, the first church in Kenya constructed for the hearing impaired. Currently, Sunday services for the hearing impaired are conducted under the auspices of mainstream churches. Several churches have sign language interpretors, but these are few and far between. There are not Sign Language schools in Kenya and therefore the skill of interpreting is not common. The deaf are therefore heavily marginilised. 

 According to a study conducted in 2008 by the Kenya National Survey for Persons with disabilities , about 600,000 Kenyans are deaf. This accounts for approximately 1.6% of the country's population. The survey intimates that the deaf are heavily marginalised and are not equipped with skills to help them compete for opportunities in employment and income generating activities.

They are disadvantaged even in their inability to participate actively in the church or fellowship among the hearing. But thank God, this is about to change! CMA has embarked on this history making venture for God's glory.  Soon, the over 70 hearing impaired believers will have a new sanctuary, where they can freely express and share their faith with others, in the same language.

The seed that was planted in Joseph Ogola's heart over 10 years ago will soon come to fruition. Mr. Ogola, CMA's Sign Language instructor was burdened with the need for a place where the deaf could meet and worship. Being hard of hearing himself, he could identify with the plight of hearing impaired people living in a 'hearing world.'   In 1996, he along with a few other pastors planted a church in the area. They could only manage to rent a small iron sheet room, with a cardboard interior. Soon, end their tenancy and begin a legacy that will change the lives of many hearing impaired people in Kenya.