This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is facing a leadership crisis following the appointment of a new general secretary, Chris Kinyanjui, who was elected at a stormy meeting on August 9, 2019.
The appointment was met with opposition from eight churches, who claimed that due process was not followed. In a petition, they listed 19 points questioning the credibility of the process, including the manner in which the search committee conducted itself and the criteria of assessment of the applicants.
Rev. Peter Canon Karanja, the outgoing secretary general, dismissed the controversy, stating that the meeting was for the trustees and not for the media. However, he hinted at a possible press conference at the end of the month to address the issue.
On August 8, 2019, Rev. Karanja sent an urgent letter to all NCCK trustees, inviting them to a meeting at Ufungamano House on August 9 at 7am. The letter was seen by the Sunday Standard and read, in part: “As you are aware, various protest letters on the above have been received and a letter from lawyers instructed by protesters to sue the council. This is to invite you to a meeting at Ufungamano House on August 9 at 7am. You are advised to arrive today on August 8, and rest ahead of the meeting,”
