A leadership standoff is simmering between Christian Church International (CCI) top management and pastors in what has been claimed to be a total disregard of the church constitution.
Over 370 pastors from different diocesans, elders and members accused the church general bishop John Kauti Mativo and presiding Bishop Henry Zakayo Mulandi of mismanaging the church by ignoring laid down church polices.
Among other things, the pastors faulted the two bishops of blatantly violating the church constitution by giving the presiding bishop a chance to continue holding office despite his old age.
“According to our church constitution, anyone who is over 65 years should not hold office but Bishop Mulandi was allowed to vie for a NEC position despite being over 70 years.
We are frustrated by the persistent failure of the two leaders to offer leadership and address issues raised by members, elders and ministers. The two are running the church like their personal businesses,” charged revered John Maina.
Addressing the press at Gatura CCI church in Gatanga, Murang’a County the angry pastors also faulted the two leaders for subdividing Thika diocese without involving local respective churches’ leadership.
The pastors and their faithful now want Mativo – who they said was beyond his retirement age, according to their church constitution – and who they further claimed had failed to execute his duties well, to resign with immediate effect.
They also want Bishop Mulandi to step down pending election of a new presiding bishop as per the church constitution.
“Having been elected unconstitutionally and being beyond the retirement age, Bishop Mulandi should step down pending election of a new presiding bishop as per the church constitution,” said Pastor Ayub Wahuga.
They also want the NEC members and the board of trustees to represent the face of the entire church and the dissolution of Thika diocese to be reversed and all assets returned immediately.
“No minister should be intimidated harassed or victimized for raising any concern. The already harassed and sucked staff should also be reinstated forthwith,” demanded the pastors.
Responding to the accusations, Bishop Mulandi said the faithful was entitled to give their own opinion on how the church should be run.
Speaking on phone, Mulandi asked the complaining pastors to join hands in praying for the church instead of staging chaos in the church.
By Daniel Mugo
