This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
As the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) prepares for its forthcoming church polls, a major split has emerged between followers of the church in the Kikuyu and Meru communities. The church, which has a membership of six million, draws its predominant following from the two communities in the Mt Kenya region.
Rev Kariuki Kania, the current secretary general of the church, is supporting one of his closest allies, Rev Robert Waihenya, for the position of secretary general. Rev Waihenya comes from the Gikuyu community.
However, Rev Mugendi Kanga, the deputy secretary general of the church, who comes from the Meru community, and Rev Guantai Mwamba, the current moderator of the church, have apparently taken a neutral stance in the ongoing campaigns. Rev Kania's term as secretary general comes to an end in 2021, and he has set his eyes on the position of moderator.
According to sources close to the head office of the church, Rev Waihenya was authorized by Rev Kania to travel to the USA with a team of 14 ordained pastors to raise money for his campaign kitty. Rev Kania's key person in the USA is Rev GG Gitahi of the Kenyan Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
It has been alleged that huge amounts of money are exchanging hands as aspirants solicit for votes. Currently, Rev Waihenya is heading a powerful docket at the church head office, responsible for Evangelism and Donor Funds Management. He secured the position four years ago with the influence of Rev Kania.
Before being transferred to the head office, Rev Waihenya was the parish minister of PCEA Ihururu parish in Nyeri hills presbytery. He was involved in a financial scandal in which he mobilized parishioners to contribute money to purchase a storeyed commercial residential flat in Kayole, Nairobi. The building was owned by a close relative of Rev Waihenya, and the price was allegedly exaggerated.
The deal left Ihururu parish with a heavy financial burden, and a host of church followers in the parish are demanding for the formation of a commission of inquiry to carry out a full-scale investigation on the matter.
