- An aggrieved Ntombura moved to court arguing his removal had not followed the church's constitution.
- Mombasa Bishop Joshua Mithika asked the faithful to pray for peace as they await the election of new leaders to guide the church.
Image: FILE
Wrangles in the Methodist Church may not end soon after the High Court on Thursday reinstated Presiding Bishop Joseph Ntombura who had been ousted.
Ntombura who has led the church for the past 12 years was removed from office on March 29 and an ad-hoc transition committee was formed to oversee the election of a new head of the church.
The Transition Connexional Ad-Hoc Committee was mandated with taking over the running of the affairs of the church and organising the election of a new presiding bishop.
An aggrieved Ntombura moved to court arguing his removal had not followed the church's constitution.
He said he was no longer able to discharge his duties because the transitional committee had threatened him.
Ntombura argued the planned election was illegal because the procedures of the Methodist Church had not been followed.
"In light of the above, there is reasonable apprehension that the church will suffer immense and irreparable prejudice unless this court intervenes and grants orders to stop the conduct of the respondent and his associates," he said.
He named Fredrick Kimathi Muriungi as the respondent. Ntombura in his affidavit claimed Muriungi, his affiliates and associates had illegitimately made a decision to kick him out of office.
He asked the court to issue orders stopping the ad-hoc committee from conducting any elections of the presiding bishop pending the hearing and determination of his case.
Ntombura also prayed for an order restraining the respondent, his agents, servants, employees or other parties from interrupting, interfering, invading and hindering the normal business of the church that he carries out being the presiding bishop.
He also wanted the ad hoc committee stopped from holding further transition meetings at the church's guest house.
"A restraining order is hereby issued against the respondent disguised as the Transitional Connexial Ad Hoc Committee, their associates and affiliates from usurping any of the lawful mandate of the applicants and the conference standing committee of the Methodist Church of Kenya pending inter parties hearing on May 9, 2023," Justice Asenath Ongeri ruled.
The OCS Kileleshwa is expected to ensure the order is implemented.
The order provides some respite for Bishop Ntombura who has found himself beleaguered after divisions rocked his church.
He has served his two terms and was due to retire in 2020 before his tenure was extended for two years pending elections.
That election failed to happen in 2022 following disagreements.
On Sunday, the Mombasa synod called for calm and peace as the wrangles threaten to split congregants.
Mombasa Bishop Joshua Mithika asked the faithful to pray for peace as they await the election of new leaders to guide the church.
Earlier, the clergy from the Nkubu Synod in Meru said they would not take sides in the ongoing wrangles between factions supporting Ntombura and those against him.
Reverend Steven Mawira of Nkubu Synod said the church was facing unusual challenges that have caused confusion and misunderstanding.