April 14, 2003

LUSSIGGETTI, Kenya - Controversy emerged in an independent church here, as officials disagreed over elections of new office bearers.

The Soul Saving Ministry Church of Kenya was set to hold its annual general meeting on the April 5, at Lussiggetti in Kiambu district (approximately 30 km from Nairobi), to vote for fresh officials. However, the event which was planned to start at 10.00 a.m, was delayed for three hours following disturbances by a faction of members.

According to Mr. Samuel Chege, the incoming general overseer of the church, there has been opposition by outgoing bishop, Mr. Francis Maina, over elections.

"He lied that we already had chosen office bears with him as the bishop, but we know nothing about it. Officials are only chosen during annual general meetings and we have had none since nine years ago." Neither the bishop nor the members of his faction were present at the meeting.

Chege accused the bishop of denying the ministry its rights of holding the annual general meeting (AGM). "I asked him to call for annual general meeting, but instead, what I got was a letter from the advocates saying that I had no authority to ask for a meeting."

According to Chege, the bishop had abducted the returning officer who had been assigned to supervise the April 5 elections.

Members from all branches in the country who had converged here, later decided to carry on with the event, in absence of the officer. The congregation unanimously chose the overseer, Mr. Chege, to be their new bishop.

All Africa News Agency
Reported by Victoria Mueni