The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Kenya is facing internal conflicts over control of its assets, with millions of shillings in property and cash at the center of the disputes. These tensions, linked to upcoming leadership elections, have led to factional splits and allegations of mismanagement, particularly in the South Kenya Conference and Maxwell Church in Nairobi.
Key assets include a multi-million-shilling property in Nairobi’s Lavington Estate and land in Mombasa, alongside the Nyanchwa Adventist Complex in Kisii County. The complex, home to a historic school established in 1912, houses underfunded institutions such as Nyanchwa SDA School, which now enrolls fewer than 41 students, and a teachers’ college with 70 students. Church leaders estimate at least Sh7 million is needed to restore these facilities, though some projects have been handed over to government agencies.
South Kenya Conference president Dr. Julius Bichanga confirmed a Sh64 million construction project for a new conference center, partially funded by Sh48 million from church members and Sh16 million from Deputy President William Ruto. The project, 70% complete, is slated for completion by October. However, internal disputes persist, with claims of financial mismanagement and prioritization of leadership campaigns over social initiatives.
A 2011 research thesis by Pastor Morwabe highlighted systemic challenges, including a lack of human resource departments, inadequate financial training for managers, and unclear governance of socio-economic projects. The study noted that 37% of respondents felt staff had sufficient training, while 29.73% disagreed, underscoring ongoing operational inefficiencies.
Bichanga denied allegations of wealth misuse, stating that expenditures over Sh20,000 require approval from more than 10 individuals. Despite these claims, the church’s focus on leadership contests has drawn criticism, with some projects—like the Nyanchwa Hospital and schools—remaining in disrepair.
