Churches are built on trust. Every Sunday, thousands of worshippers faithfully contribute their tithes, offerings, and donations believing that those resources will be used responsibly to advance ministry work, support community programmes, and strengthen the institution's mission.

Because of this trust, allegations of corruption, favoritism, and abuse of office within religious organizations often generate deeper concern than similar claims in ordinary workplaces.

When employees, former staff members, and even long-serving congregants begin raising similar complaints about procurement practices, hiring decisions, disciplinary processes, and financial management, the questions cease being isolated workplace grievances.

They become governance concerns that directly affect members who fund the institution and expect accountability from those entrusted with leadership.

The most troubling allegations are often not those involving junior staff. Rather, they are claims that problems originate from the very people tasked with enforcing policies and protecting the institution's values. When those responsible for oversight are themselves accused of controlling recruitment, procurement, disciplinary actions, and financial decisions, employees can begin feeling that there is nowhere left to seek justice.

Hello Nyakundi,

Kindly hide my identity.

I am a member of the CITAM fraternity and I previously worked at the church's head office.

Having seen some of the concerns recently raised by current and former staff, I can confidently say that many of the complaints being shared are not new.

In my opinion, the root cause of many of the problems people keep talking about lies within senior management.

From my experience, Ann- Finance Manager, Patrick-Business Head and the Chief Cartel. These 2 run the show. You then find Karanja- Supply Chain and Mercy-Projects. When I was there, the new HR wasn't around, so I wouldn't dwell so much on her, though I heard that she fired a guy named Jack only to employ her hubby.

This group of people decide who gets hired and who gets fired. Sadly, they're the same people who sit on the disciplinary committee. So, in case someone who is in their clique has a disciplinary issue, they either get transferred or warned, and the reporter becomes an enemy. If you're not. You get fired. The corruption element is usually top-notch. The procurement process is always a fraud. They reward their buddies and those with huge kickbacks. Ask yourself the reason why CITAM projects are very expensive, but the work done is always shoddy?

What made the situation particularly concerning was that some of the same people accused of influencing recruitment and management decisions also allegedly sat on disciplinary committees.

As a result, many employees felt that disciplinary outcomes were predetermined depending on who was involved.

If someone was considered part of the inner circle, they could allegedly receive warnings, transfers, or protection.

If you were not part of that circle, many employees believed your position became vulnerable.

Again, ask yourself the reason why Mercy, the project manager, became that rich and has visible structures in Kenya. You can't rise in SCM if you aren't in this group. In the same way, you can't be a senior accountant if you won't process or you're the nosy type, and you will not approve their processes and deals without questioning.

In the Procurement department, you are either Karanja's relative or a trusted confidant. These guys are taking people's tithe as if they don't care. For example, a guy who has served in CITAM for many years. Recently, there was an advertisement concerning the procurement officer. He applied for it, but guess what? A guy, fresh from university, was given the role. You can't get elevated to some roles since you're not properly put or known to serve those roles.

Ann Finance creates roles for family and friends. She decides and does as she wants. They eat the church money through kickbacks. As for Patrick, the issues you raised about the catering units, including Kadolta, are all under him. So I won't go back on them. But ask yourself, they are all like that and underperforming. Recently, they fired a lady called Magdalene, and everyone knew that they were saving face.

On a sad note. All these issues are believed to be known by the top management, including the Bishop. There was an internal auditor who tried to question, but the other managers disappointed him to the extent that he resigned. So the people who are judging you, let them get their facts right because they are not aware of what staff go through under the current management.

Anyone who may think that I am lying can go to the head office and fact-check about all this. The church is a public entity. All of us members want is for it to be run by what its acronym stands for. Mostly about Integrity and Accountability.

I am sharing it because I care about the institution.

The church belongs to its members, and members deserve transparency, integrity, and accountability from those entrusted with leadership.

Many of us continue supporting the ministry because we believe in its mission.

However, we also believe that concerns raised by staff, former employees, and members deserve independent examination rather than dismissal.

The greatest danger to any institution is not criticism.

It refuses to listen when the same concerns keep being raised by different people over a long period of time.

Concerned Former Employee and Church Member.