Tough task ahead for ACK bishop after divisive polls

Maseno West Anglican Diocese newly-elected bishop John Mark Godia (Pictured), takes office on September 1, amid sharp differences at the diocese, following an emotive and divisive election.

His immediate task, he told the Sunday Standard yesterday, will be to unite the various factions that were formed during the campaigns.

Rev Godia beat two other contestants - Canon Francis Owino Omondi and Professor James Kombo - to replace Bishop Otieno Wasonga, who has been at the helm for 29 years.

The 49-year-old bishop acknowledged there were divisions among the clergy, but downplayed it as normal in the wake of the hotly contested elections.

As Rev Godia awaits to take over office on September 21, a group of disgruntled clerics are yet to accept him over claims his election was flawed.

Seek redress?

The group that supports the losing candidates, accused the electoral college of irregularities and favouritism during the polls.

The faction that supported Canon Francis Omondi called on the head of the church, Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit, to nullify the elections and call for fresh polls.

Kenneth Wachianga, speaking on behalf of the defeated faction, said failure to order repeat polls may force them to file a suit.

“We might be forced to seek redress elsewhere. We might have to call for a split of the diocese that covers slightly more than half of Siaya County,” Rev Wachianga was quoted as saying.

He said it would be hypocritical to vilify the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for presiding over flawed elections yet “a similar vice is gaining root in the house of God, which is supposed to conduct its operations above board.”

But Rev Godia has extended an olive branch and is seeking unity in the diocese. “In every election, we are likely to have such a fallout. Everybody hopes to win, but then at some point, they will retreat and recollect themselves and accept the will of God,” he said.

A team of 23 delegates from the electoral college took part in the voting.

Out of this, 16 of them were from the diocese, while seven were from the church’s province synod appointed by Archbishop Ole Sapit.

The strategic plan of the diocese is based on six pillars, namely evangelism, building capacity of the clergy and personnel, sustainability of the diocese, infrastructural development and advocacy.

The bishop-elect said he had no problem with politicians seeking to give donations to the church, adding that it all depended on their motives.

“Politicians should not give donations to the church with an intention of buying its support. The motive behind the donation is key. It is wrong to attempt to buy the church’s support with money,” said Rev Godia.