President William Ruto with a senior leader in the African Divine Church during a service in Boyani in Hamisi, Vihiga County, where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of a cathedral on Sunday June, 23, 2019/President William Ruto X
There’s a widening rift in the African Divine Church (ADC) following the escalation of a fight over power and money between two opposing factions.
What initially began as a contest for leadership, spearheaded by Gabriel Imbali, a prominent figure who passed away two decades ago, has escalated into a bitter feud that threatens to divide the ADC, currently under Archbishop John Chabuga.
Two years ago, Samuel Achaga, a priest, took his grievances to court, petitioning for the relocation of the ADC headquarters from Boyani Mission in Hamisi, Vihiga County, to Chekalini in Lugari, Kakamega County.
At the heart of Achaga’s crusade is the claim that Archbishop Chabuga has transformed the ADC into family property by mishandling the church’s financial resources.
“He is treating the church like part of founder Saul Chabuga’s family empire,” he said.
Achaga is fighting for structural changes within the church that would facilitate a more inclusive leadership system, allowing individuals from different families to assume key roles and enabling more bishops to serve alongside the senior bishop.
“Since our church was established in 1959, people from the Chabuga clan have been leading as archbishops. The current bishop is the grandson of the founder, who plans to leave the leadership to his son.
“You cannot become archbishop without other bishops. We want the constitution of our church to be changed so that we remove the leadership from one family and give the opportunity for the presence of bishops who will be under the Archbishop,” Achaga said.
Additionally, he has called upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the utilization of funds contributed by politicians for the construction of the church.
These allegations have been swiftly rebutted by Archbishop Chabuga, who has dismissed Achaga’s claims as the actions of a disgruntled church leader who has been censured for misconduct and accused of tarnishing the reputation of the ‘body of Christ’.
Chabuga has taken a firm stance, warning individuals who misuse the church’s symbols and attire and falsely claim the title of bishops to sever ties with the ADC and form their own religious congregations.
“These are rebels who we expelled from our church after being involved in all kinds of sins and bringing disgrace to the church. If they see that our church is defective, they have to start their own churches without using our uniforms and linings,” he said.
Sam Oduor is the editor-in-chief at the Western Kenya Times who leverages the power of the Internet in telling stories that shape opinions.
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