The High Court has restrained the Methodist Church of Kenya Transition Connexional Ad Hoc Committee and Fredrick Kimathi Muriungi from conducting any form of elections of the presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Kenya.
The court further restrained the Committee and Muriungi from usurping any of the lawful mandate of Bishop Joseph Ntombura Mwaine and the conference committee of the church.
“A restraining order be and is hereby issued against the respondent disguised as “Transition Connexional Ad Hoc Committee”, their associates and affiliates from conducting any form of Elections of the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Kenya pending interpartes hearing on 9th May 2023 before the presiding judge Civil Division,” the High Court deputy registrar ruled.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Muriungi and his associates are accused of mobilising and inciting members of the Methodist Church congregation who showed up at the Methodist Church Headquarters in a bid to overthrow Bishop Ntombura from office.
The same was done through a meeting held on 29th March 2023 and has since paralysed the Bishop Ntombura from discharging his mandate and duly operation and running of the Methodist Church in Kenya.
The court heard that Muriungi and associates have for the past few days issued threats portraying clear rivalry between themselves and Bishop Ntombura who is a member of the Trustee Registered Methodist Church and the current lawful presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya.
“The respondent, his associates and affiliates are planning to carry out elections of another presiding Bishop within this week without them following the laid down procedures of the Methodist Church as per the Methodist Church Constitution and standing orders,” Omari told the court.
Bishop Ntombura who has served two terms as Bishop claims that there have been a number of troublemakers, some who have been excluded from being part of the congregation have constantly and without warrant attacked the leadership of the Methodist Church in Kenya for selfish gains and interests.
