Fresh claims have emerged from within CITAM circles linking Reverend Charles Obara to internal church tensions, aggressive fundraising pressure, leadership politics and repeated transfers across branches.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Obara is viewed by some insiders as a controversial figure whose strength within the church system has allegedly been his ability to push congregants to raise money aggressively.
The source claims that this is one of the reasons some senior figures within the church establishment continue to protect or support him despite complaints from sections of congregants and staff.
The source further links Obara to a past “girl-child” controversy that was previously exposed, claiming that the fallout from that matter affected his chances of rising to the position of deputy bishop.
According to the source, former Presiding Bishop David Oginde had allegedly intended to position Obara for higher office before the controversy complicated those plans. Instead, Obara was reportedly transferred from CITAM Valley Road to CITAM Karen in 2019.
The source claims that after moving to Karen, Obara initially kept a lower profile before returning to what they described as his usual fundraising style. Congregants were allegedly pressured to give towards various projects, including items such as screens, similar to what some claim had happened during his time at Valley Road.
The source also paints a picture of a leader accused of enjoying special treatment within church spaces, claiming that he allegedly preferred special seating, special drinks and separate treatment from ordinary staff.
The same source alleges that Obara was later transferred to CITAM Thika Road in January 2025 and that there are now rumours within church circles that he could be moved again, this time to Kisumu.
Below is the account as received:
“It’s the Charles Obara chap and his enablers like Oginde. They like him because of his shameless pressure tactics to raise funds. He’s a menace everywhere he goes.
He’s the one from the girl-child encounter you posted awhile back. That exposé cost him his shot to be deputy bishop, which is what Oginde had intended on his way out as presiding bishop in 2020.
Instead he got transferred from Valley Road to Karen back in 2019 after that ordeal.
Then in Karen he started his usual money hustle after laying low, pressuring the congregation to give for trivial things including screens like he had done in Valley Road.
He likes to be treated like a CEO. Special seats. Special drinks. Special treatment all the time for himself. Doesn’t even eat same food as staff.
Madharau na kiburi, but very pretentious around the right people.
He was transferred to Thika Road branch in January 2025. Now rumour is they already want to transfer him to Kisumu.”