Judith Nafula, the Kenyan woman who attracted national attention in 2025 after claiming to be Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, has died while receiving treatment at Busia Referral Hospital.
The Renewal Charismatic Church of Kenya announced her death in a statement signed by its Presiding Archbishop, Felix Barasa, expressing sorrow over the loss of Nafula, popularly known as Mama Maria.
Nafula lived in Nang’oma village in Matayos constituency, where she served as a leader in the deliverance and healing ministry at St Mary’s Renewal Charismatic Church.
The church said details of her funeral would be announced after the family and congregation had completed the necessary arrangements.
Nafula became widely known in June 2025 when she claimed that a supernatural encounter had revealed she was chosen to embody Mary in human form.
She told journalists that a bright light had descended from the sky, accompanied by a voice identifying itself as Christ and saying it had been sent by God to find Mother Mary.
According to her account, she initially told the voice that she did not know Mary, only to be informed that she was the person being sought. She also claimed to have spent two months praying on a nearby hill and receiving spiritual revelations.
Her husband, John Wekulo, supported her account, claiming that he had also received a revelation identifying him as Joseph, the biblical figure associated with Mary.
Their claims divided opinion, with some people embracing their beliefs while others questioned them. Nafula also reportedly attracted followers who visited her home seeking prayers and healing.
Days after her story gained national attention, she was reportedly expelled from Lwanya Catholic Church over allegations that she had been performing miracles for congregants.
Her death marks the end of a story that sparked debate across Kenya about faith, religious identity and claims of supernatural encounters.
