This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
Leadership wrangles at ACK Maseno West Diocese Anglican church have taken a turn for the worse. The church is in the midst of a bitter dispute over the election of a new bishop, with Reverend John Godia emerging as the preferred candidate.
However, the dispute has taken a new turn with allegations that one of the clergy associated with Reverend Godia, Reverend Luke Otombo, had faked his own death to avoid paying a bank loan.
According to sources, Reverend Otombo had managed to acquire a death certificate, which he presented to the bank to avoid paying the loan. The revelation has sparked outrage among the clergy, who are demanding that Reverend Godia comes out in the open and clears the air on the matter.
The dispute at ACK Maseno West Diocese Anglican church has been ongoing for some time, with the church's leadership being accused of not following the required procedure in the election of the new bishop.
Reverend Kenneth Wachianga, one of the clergy who was suspended by the bishop, has denied claims that he is planning to split the diocese. He has argued that the bishop should have formed a tribunal to investigate the allegations levelled against him before the suspension.
Reverend Wachianga's suspension was dated May 30, 2019, with the bishop accusing him of promoting secession, division, and disruption of the peaceful life of the diocese.
The election of Reverend Godia as the new bishop has been marred by controversy, with some of the clergy accusing the electoral college of not following the required procedure.
Reverend Godia is set to be consecrated on September 1, 2019, but the dispute at ACK Maseno West Diocese Anglican church shows no signs of abating.
