PEFA Bishops power struggle spills into courtroom

Differences over the management of the umbrella body for evangelical churches have spilled into court.

This comes as the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (Pefa) faces internal division, with a section of the clergy also seeking legal intervention in a dispute over its leadership.

While Christians commemorate Christ’s triumph over death, the men and women of the cloth are navigating the corridors of justice, seeking redress in court.

Bishop Joseph Timona, Geoffrey Waweru, and Bishop Barnabas Mpekethi have sued Francis Mwangi, Peter Chacha, Simon Mwangi, Seline Ronoh, and the registrar of societies, alleging that the election to appoint a new general secretary to lead the Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya (Apeck) was fraudulent and unlawful.

Timona, Waweru, and Mpekethi, who claim to hold the positions of vice chairman, general secretary, and national treasurer respectively, accuse the central executive board members of violating the organisation’s constitution by electing Chacha as the new general secretary.

According to them, no notice was issued to invite them to the election, nor was the one-year notice period required for a general meeting observed.

“The plaintiffs also aver that they were never issued with any notice convening any meeting at which the 2nd plaintiff was replaced and the 2nd defendant purportedly elected. They neither attended nor were they made aware of any such meeting.”

“If indeed any meeting was held, which is denied, the same was convened irregularly with the attendance of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants, and without notice to or participation of the plaintiffs and other officials, including the Patron and Deputy Patron, who are also members of the Central Executive Board,” the case filed in the High Court by lawyer Kiragu Wathuta reads in part.

The trio further claimed that their signatures were allegedly lifted and superimposed without consent to authorise changes in the association’s official records.

The bishops added that the registrar of societies had raised concerns, noting that all individuals whose signatures appeared on the document were required to appear in person and present their identification cards.

Court documents indicate that Mwangi is Apeck’s chairman, Chacha is a deputy general secretary, while Simon and Ronoh serve as organising secretary and deputy organising secretary respectively.

Timona, Waweru, and Mpekethi claim that an Annual General Meeting has been called to replace the general secretary, causing confusion among members. 

“These actions constitute a sustained pattern of irregular, unlawful, and unconstitutional conduct in the governance of the Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya and have caused confusion and uncertainty regarding the identity of lawful officials, undermined the authority and dignity of the plaintiffs, the patron, and the deputy patron in their respective offices, and exposed them to reputational harm among members and stakeholders,” they stated.

Non-members

While the evangelicals were in the Civil Court, the Pefa church clergy were pursuing a separate case in the Constitutional Court.

Reverend Fredah Gakii, Bishop Anthony Mpartiri, and Reverend Julius Mwei sued Dr Thomas Tembo and Dr John Okinda, alleging that they are not legitimate members of the church.

The three clergy members claim that Tembo and Okinda called for an annual general assembly on April 8, 2026, despite not being part of the church’s board of administration.

“The Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa is an Evangelical church, founded to preach the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, with believers who fellowship together and recognise themselves as the very body of Jesus Christ. PEFA Church Kenya is, for all intents and purposes, registered as a society under the Societies Act, Chapter 108, Laws of Kenya,” they stated. 

In her supporting affidavit, Rev Gakii told the court that Bishop Dr George Mwangome, Bishop Dr Joseph Mophat, Bishop John Odhiambo, and Bishop Simon Obayo are the recognised members of the church’s supreme organ.

She alleged that Tembo and Okinda were relying on a purported new PEFA constitution and bylaws, which were meant to be registered with the registrar of societies. However, she said they discovered that the church was still using the 1973 constitution when seeking a loan from NCBA Bank in 2023.

According to her, the registrar informed them that the constitution and bylaws had not been submitted in 2018.

She accused her colleagues of sidelining other PEFA leaders, alleging that some leaders from Nairobi were removed from a church leadership WhatsApp group.

“The respondents herein have been acting unlawfully, and anything done under the auspices of the 2024 Constitution and 2018 Constitution remains void, having been carried out under a set of laws that have no legal force,” she claimed.

Gakii urged the court to order that the church be managed by a caretaker committee until a valid constitution is registered. She also sought to halt the intended AGM. 

“Despite all these controversies, the Respondents herein have taken it upon themselves to sideline other PEFA church leaders who have consistently questioned their illegal acts and their continued presence in office. For instance, when sending notices including the Annual General Assembly Notice dated  March 18, 2026, the Respondents herein knowingly omitted to serve the Petitioners herein,” she added.