Once a young boy struggling to survive in Kibera, Kenya, Rev. Clyde Otieno has returned to the very community where his story began, now sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with others.

When the rains came to Kibera, Nairobi, young Clyde Otieno, his mother, and his three siblings would huddle together in one corner of their small mud house, trying to escape the water dripping through the roof. Some nights, the family went to sleep hungry, uncertain of what the next day would bring.

Today, Clyde stands behind a pulpit, preaching the Gospel and offering hope to families facing many of the same struggles he once knew.

On August 16, 2026, Clyde reached a remarkable milestone when he was officially ordained as Rev. Clyde Otieno, surrounded by his wife, fellow ministers, and members of the Mully Children’s Family (MCF) Mission Choir.

His journey from a childhood marked by poverty and uncertainty to a life devoted to serving God is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a child is given the opportunity to discover their God-given purpose.

A Childhood Marked by Hardship

Growing up in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, Clyde experienced hardship from an early age.

His mother worked to raise four children on her own, struggling to provide necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, and education. Beyond the difficulties at home, Clyde was surrounded by drugs, crime, and violence.

During the unrest following Kenya’s 2007 elections, he witnessed people being shot and killed. Yet even amid these circumstances, Clyde dreamed of a different future. He hoped that one day he might become a politician.

But when he completed primary school in 2008, his mother could not afford the fees required for him to continue his education.

Without the means to attend secondary school, his future seemed increasingly uncertain.

Reflecting on those difficult years, Clyde shares a simple but profound testimony:

“God preserved my life.”

A New Beginning at Mully Children’s Family

In 2008, Clyde’s life changed when Mully Children’s Family rescued ten children from Kibera. Clyde was among them.

For the first time, he experienced the security of a loving home, three meals each day, and the opportunity to continue his education.

Just as importantly, he found a family in Charles and Esther Mulli, affectionately known as Daddy Mulli and Mama Esther.

Through their love, encouragement, and Christian example, Clyde began to see possibilities for his life that had once seemed beyond reach.

Daily devotions, worship, and prayer became part of his new life at MCF. As his faith deepened, so did his understanding of God’s purpose for him.

The young boy who had once dreamed of becoming a politician began to sense a different calling: to become a pastor and share the love of Jesus Christ with others.

Clyde eventually attended Bible College and went on to serve in youth ministry at MCF Ndalani, helping guide other young people in their faith.

But God was preparing him for something even more personal.

Returning to Kibera with a Message of Hope

Years after leaving Kibera as a vulnerable young boy, Clyde felt called to return to the community where he had experienced so much hardship.

With Daddy Mulli’s support, he began serving in Missions and Evangelism with Africa Inland Church–Kibera.

This time, he returned with a new purpose.

He understood the challenges facing the children and families around him because he had lived through many of them himself. He knew what it meant to go hungry, to grow up surrounded by violence, and to wonder whether a better future was possible.

Now, he could share a message of faith, hope, and transformation with people facing those same circumstances.

Today, Clyde serves as Senior Pastor of Africa Inland Church–Neema, where he has witnessed the congregation grow from approximately 50–60 members to more than 150.

He continues to pursue his own education, working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology while leading his church and caring for his family.

His ordination on August 16, 2026, was a joyful celebration of God’s faithfulness throughout his life.

As fellow ministers placed his reverend’s robes upon him, the occasion marked not only an important milestone in his ministry, but also the extraordinary journey of a child whose life had been transformed.

The celebration continued with singing and dancing alongside the MCF Mission Choir, a beautiful reminder of the family and faith community that helped shape his future.

One Child. One Future. One Calling.

Clyde’s story is one among more than 37,000 lives transformed through Mully Children’s Family over the past 37 years.

Each child who comes to MCF carries a unique story, with challenges, dreams, and possibilities that deserve to be recognized and nurtured.

In Mully Children’s Family Transformations, author Paul Boge reminds us of three powerful truths:

Every child has a future.

Every person has a calling.

Everyone is within reach of transformation.

Clyde’s journey brings these truths to life.

What began with a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, an education, and the love of a family has grown into a ministry that is now reaching others.

This is what it means to save a child.

It is about more than meeting immediate needs. It is about giving a child the opportunity to heal, grow, encounter the love of Christ, and discover the purpose God has placed within them.

And sometimes, as Clyde’s story so beautifully demonstrates, that child grows up to bring hope back to the very place where his own journey began.

As Psalm 113:7–8 (NIV) reminds us:

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.”

Join Us in Prayer

As we celebrate Rev. Clyde’s remarkable journey, we invite you to join us in lifting up his family, ministry, and the children of Mully Children’s Family in prayer.

1. For Rev. Clyde and his family: Pray for wisdom, grace, strength, and courage as he continues preaching the Gospel. Ask God to provide for his family’s needs, including educational expenses for Clyde and his two sons.
2. For his ministry and the communities he serves: Pray that Clyde’s testimony will bring encouragement and hope to young people and families facing poverty, violence, addiction, and uncertainty. May many come to know the transforming love of Jesus Christ through his ministry.
3. For every child entrusted to MCF: Pray that each child will experience the love of Christ, receive the care and opportunities they need to thrive, and discover the unique calling God has placed upon their life.

We give thanks to God for Clyde’s life, his faithfulness, and the countless ways He continues to work through Mully Children’s Family.

His story is a reminder that when we invest in the life of a child, the impact can extend far beyond one generation, reaching families, churches, and entire communities.