Drama as church members fight over money

There was drama today (Sunday) at the East African Pentecostal church (EAPC) in Embu after two factions of the church clashed over Sh500,000 that is allegedly supposed to fund the renovation of the church and the construction of a pit latrine.

Members of the public watched in shock as the normally quiet Dallas Estate church became a stage for a fiery exchange between the members of the church who had barricaded themselves inside and another group led by pastors from 65 EAPC branches tried to force their way in.

The faction outside the church claimed that the Pastor, Ephantus Muthee Kimotho, was conducting the service despite being transferred to another parish after he refused to release the funds despite being ordered by the church’s bishop.

Julius Njeru, the church’s deputy overseer, said that Kimotho was transferred to another branch by the bishop but instead went to court and appealed the decision.

Njeru added that that there has been bad blood between the pastor and the executive committee, further claiming that he had been excommunicated from the church.

In a quick rejoinder, Rev Kimotho said that he has been a leader at the church since 2006, adding that the squabbles were occasioned by jealousy and the fight by the officials to control the church, which happens to be the biggest in Embu.

Kimotho further claimed that the leaders were against the renovation of the church and instead want a share of the funds.

The funds were collected from the church’s members who contributed Sh15,000 for its development.

On his part, Njeru said that conflict began Rev Kimotho declined to release funds for the construction of a toilet, further obtaining a court order to block the withdrawal of the money.

He, however, denied that his members had pangas inside the church and refuted claims that a member of the rival faction was injured using a panga during the incident.

It took the intervention of anti-riot police to calm the situation.