AIPCA Embu Diocese Embroiled In Leadership Wrangles

Embu, Saturday, July 15, 2023

KNA By Samuel Waititu

The African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Embu Diocese is embroiled in leadership wrangles following the removal from office of Bishop Stephen Njogu by a section of the clergy over indiscipline.

Rev. Njogu whose seat has been taken over by Bishop Peter Mucira is among other ills accused of drunkenness, poor leadership, stubbornness, and misuse of church funds. Mucira was installed on Wednesday this week following his appointment by the priest council that was also sanctioned by the national office.

The council maintained it had no choice but to replace him over his unbecoming conduct that has destroyed the reputation of the church, adding that it has been years of vain efforts to correct his shortcomings by the church leadership.

“Through our church constitution, we wrote to the national office to be allowed to defrock Njogu and install Mucira as the new bishop and that is how we got here,” said Rev Patrick Kariuki who is Diocese Secretary General.

He refuted claims that Mucira’s installation was done under the cover of darkness as it was unprocedural, saying everything was done openly in broad daylight at the Church Cathedral located at Kangaru in Embu West Sub-County.

Speaking on Friday at Kangaru Church during a meeting with priests and other church leaders, the new bishop said anybody who desires to be a priest must uphold the highest level of discipline, saying the conduct of his predecessor warranted his removal to protect the image of the church.

“He had formed a habit of being drunk even during his church services and other public events such as burials and the church leadership could not condone his wayward behavior any longer,” said Mucira.

He thanked the church for bestowing leadership on him and promised to restore and maintain righteousness, holiness, and accountability of church resources.

The embattled bishop and his supporters have however maintained that he is still the presiding bishop and that they do not recognize Mucira, terming him an imposter in a move that is threatening to split the church down the middle.

Speaking separately with tens of his supporters at Kathangariri Church, Bishop Njogu who has been at the helm of leadership since 2006 said the installation of Mucira was nonconsequential as he had not gone through the ranks to rise to the post as per the church constitution.

 “AIPCA Embu Diocese is very intact and I am still the bishop since 2006 and I ask our followers to dismiss reports of installation of another bishop as mere rumors and propaganda,” he said.

He said Mucira was currently under his suspension for declining transfers severally and was thus not authorized to transact any business in or on behalf of the church.

His assistant, Archdeacon Joseph Mucangi said the alleged move was misleading and meant to divide the church and called on their followers to stand firm behind the leadership of bishop Njogu.

Courtesy ; K. N. A