There has been trouble brewing in the African Israel Nineveh Church in the last three years at Jebrock in Hamisi Vihiga County. There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, however, as one wing led by Bishop Evans Chadiva has opted for reconciliation over leadership wrangles at the Church.
After the registrar of societies approved their constitution amendments that were done last month, there are signs of reconciliation. The Chadiva led camp had filed for a referendum concerning the Church’s constitution that had raged disputes and clashes between members affiliated with him and his rival John Mweresa. The disputes had led to bloodshed and death at some point last year.
The Chadiva team will take over office, and have welcomed the rival camp for reconciliation talks that are meant to bring an end to the disputes. “We have successfully succeeded after our request as the constitution has been amended and approved and we want the church to remain under one umbrella. The referendum was so successful and since then, the atmosphere at the Church headquarters is great,’’ said Chadiva.
Chadiva has welcomed Mweresa’s camp to join forces and run the church as one unit. He informed the rival camp that the church is open to everyone and leadership slots would be equally shared among them to end the bitter rivalry experienced at the church. “We appeal to Mweresa and his camp to come to church for reconciliation talks that will end this chaos,’’ said Chadiva.
The Church which shares land donated by the founder member Kivuli 1, but under a different Title Number Gimarakwa 495 and 494 respectively, has opted to close two back entries that have been used for many years to gain entry into the church headquarters to one main gate.
“We opted to close those entries from the family grounds to make sure the Church premises remain independent,’’ added Chadiva.
The Chadiva led camp cleaned premises and in a bid to reclaim documents in the possession of the rival camp this has happened in absentia of the rival camp with tight security.
“We are on a mission of cleaning and clearing the compound and offices as we resume duty and in fourteen days we would know whether we have a case to answer or not as of now I have information Mweresa has filed another case at Kisumu Law Courts,’’