Hundreds of the Faithful of Chekalini African Divine Church (ADC) headquarters in Lugari Sub County held a peaceful demonstration over what they termed as poor leadership and intimidation by the Arch Bishop John Chabuga of the Church’s Boyani based national headquarters in Vihiga County.
Carrying twigs and placards, the enraged faithful from several branches led by Bishop Fred Juma and Secretary General Jackson Munyole demonstrated in the surrounding streets singing anti- Chabuga songs before gathering at Musembe junction where they presented their grievances and appealed for government intervention to help address the leadership wrangle that is threatening to completely split thechurch.
The protesters drummed support for overhaul of the church’s current constitution, which according to them was the source of the present dispute.
The church has in the recent past witnessed leadership rows at its helm, which insiders say were caused by protracted fights between Arch Bishop John Chabuga, head of the church’s national headquarters and his strongest critic Bishop Gabriel Imbali, who sits at the rival headquarters at Chekalini.
Faithful in favour of change argue that the church has stuck in the past under leadership from members of one family since its inception about 50 years ago.
“African Divine Church was started by Mzee Saul Chabuga who later on handed the leadership mantle to his son, James Chabuga before the current Arch Bishop who is the grandson to the founder, took over,” explained Juma.
Munyole said, “Besides Chabuga being at the top, his mother, brother and wife are also holding senior positions at the main headquarter of the church in Boyani.”
The Bishop accused the Chabuga family of using unorthodox means in resisting change meant to restore democracy and sanity in the church.
“The family and its supporters have always suppressed efforts to have structured dialogue with members, and instead resorted to courts of law as a means of ironing out challenges and problems affecting the church,” observed Juma.
The cleric claimed that the current arch bishop had paralyzed ADC’s expansion programme by secretly disposing off pieces of land, which he noted were acquired through resources pooled by faithful.
“A number of plots meant to establish branches here in Chekalini have already been sold to private individuals and developers,” alleged Juma.
According to a clause on leadership in the church’s constitution, an incumbent Arch Bishop relinquishes leadership power upon his or her death.
“This article has drawn resentment from majority of the church’s faithful across the country,” claimed Juma.
The clerics and faithful in Chekalini have vowed to continue and extend street demonstrations within the entire Lugari sub county until the church’s top leadership will yield and amicably address their grievances.
“If not, we shall have no otherwise but completely delink ourselves from Boyani,” threatened Juma, a staunch supporter of Arch Bishop Imbali, who is considered a favourite of faithful in support for change.