Faithful want ACK diocese split as row simmers

ACK Diocese of Mbeere Rev Moses Masamba

Some faithful want the ACK Diocese of Mbeere split, arguing the move will improve performance and end alleged marginalisation of one region.

If they have their way, the larger diocese would cease to exist after 21 years since it was carved from the Diocese of Embu in 1997.

Scores of faithful met at ACK Mayori Parish this week where they said the Mbeere Diocese, headed by Rev Moses Masamba, should be split.

The faithful, led by Lay Cannon John Njiru, Pius Njiru, John Njoka, JJ Nyaga and Njeru Kiuma, sais it should be split into the Diocese of Mbeere North and Diocese of Mbeere South.

Notably, those who want it split hail from Mbeere South.

In a statement read by Njiru, they said when the diocese was formed, it had only 18 parishes, which had now grown to 62 with 239 local churches.

“The bishop is unable to visit all the 62 parishes within a year, so it needs to be split to make it manageable and to bring services close to the people,” said Njiru.

If it is split, Mbeere South will have 34 parishes while Mbeere North will have 28.

Our reason

Proponents of the diocese split argue that economically, the parishes are able to support the new diocese.

They accused Rev Masamba of favouring Mbeere North by initiating more than ten projects since he was installed bishop leaving out the South.

“The annual budget is to the tune of Sh30 million. Mbeere South pays Sh21 million while Mbeere North pays Sh9 million. Why then should all the development projects be concentrated in the North?” they asked.

They also threatened that Mbeere South would hence forth not pay quota to the diocese.

In a rejoinder, Rev Masamba said he would not take any action as the split agitators had not written to him.

Rev Masamba said the diocese encourages members to embrace dialogue.