PAG church splits after election row

By Allan Kisia

Twenty churches have broken away from the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church over disputed elections.

The splinter churches in Butere District have consequently formed what they term Reformed PAG Kenya.

Elections to pick a district overseer at Ibinda in Khwisero split the 36 churches. The dispute emerged after Anthony Kenyakisa and Paulo Kombo each claimed to be duly elected.

The Reverend Kombo then distanced himself from 20 churches and formed the Reformed PAG.

He claimed his one-day old church has more than 10,000 followers.

"We will not be reporting to PAG head offices in Nyang’ori in Vihiga, but to our new offices in Ibinda," he said.

Kombo told The Standard on Thursday they have since informed the head of PAG in Kenya, the Reverend Wycliffe Nganira.

The disengagement followed a move by Nganira to install the Reverend Kenyakisa as the district overseer on Thursday. Nganira, who was accompanied by riot police officers, tried to install Kenyakisa at Ibinda church, but failed.

A group allied to Kombo walked out on him and vowed they would not allow Kenyakisa to take over.

"We will see if Kenyakisa will preside over church services protected by riot police officers every Sunday," said Pastor Stanley Amutabi of Elukaka Reformed PAG Church.

He said Kenyakisa would not be welcome at Ibinda church as it was on private property.

"The owner of the land has said Kenyakisa will be trespassing if he goes to the church," he said.

Kombo said PAG headquarters reneged on a promise to send a team to probe the disputed elections.