The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) was born out of the work of Swedish Lutheran Mission (SLM) started at Itierio, Kisii County in 25th July 1948. The initial focus was on evangelism, medical services and education. The first regular baptism took place on 23rd December, 1951 at Itierio, during which 17 men and one woman were baptized. In the same year, Luther’s Small Catechism was translated into Ekegusii and Dholuo languages.
The first school was opened at Itierio in 1949 and the first medical clinic opened at the same place in 1950. In 1957 a Bible school was opened at Matongo, Nyamira County (the now Neema Lutheran College).
After 1969 the SLM was joined by other mission organizations namely Swedish Lutheran Evangelical Association in Finland (SLEAF) , World Mission Prayer League (WMPL), the Lutheran Evangelical Association in Finland (LEAF), the Norwegian Lutheran Mission (NLM) and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).