AICPA church leaders assure Gachagua of unity ahead of Friday elections

By Peter Ochieng

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for peace during and after African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) elections scheduled for Friday this week.

The DP spoke on Tuesday morning, when he held consultations with the top leadership of the various factions of the church, ahead of elections for a new spiritual leader.

"The leaders have committed to a peaceful election and to accept and respect the outcome. They have committed that the church will be one and the issue of factions will come to an end on Friday," shared the second in command.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, and Central Regional Commissioner Frendrick Chisia were among those present during the meeting held at the DP's official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

In December, 2020, the church's national elections committee appointed Archbishop Julius Njoroge its interim leader for one year.

The committee also announced that two other leaders, Archbishops Samson Muthuri and Fredrick Wang’ombe will hold the position in an acting capacity before the elections.

Members of the committee made the decision to have the three leaders rotate in the role.

Njoroge, Muthuri and Wang’ombe had been fighting over the leadership of the church, with each leading a splinter group.

Before the formulae was arrived at, the differences between the three leaders were so huge that they were working from different locations.

According to the arrangement, Muthuri took over from Njoroge in November 2021.

Wang’ombe thereafter led from November 2022 to November to 2023.

Going foward, the church's election calendar will follow a five-year cycle, similar to that of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The one who will be elected on Friday among the three, will be in office for five years.