AIC faithful blocked from their church

By Victor Mukele

African Inland Church faithful were locked out of the church premises in Kabarnet as leadership wrangles intensified.

A contingent of armed police officers barred the faithful from entering the church on Saturday.

The incident occurred amid a leadership stalemate between Bishop Silas Yego and David Mbuvi.

Bishop Mbuvi was scheduled to meet with members of AIC from all branches in Baringo District.

But the faithful were shocked when they found security personnel deployed at the gate. The officers said they had orders to stop them from entering the compound.

During the standoff the faithful were forced to hold their prayers outside the church.

Terming the move as politically motivated, the faithful accused a local bishop of frustrating pastors opposed to him.

Local police chief Ben Nyakwaka said the church wrangles posed a security risk.

Bishop Paul Raimoi who is in charge of the Central Rift region has moved to court to challenge the legitimacy of Baringo District Church Council (DCC).

The bishop claims the DCC team is in office illegally. Raimoi said the pastors should not be allowed to undertake church activities until the court case is determined.

"They should stop confusing and misusing powers that they do not have since their activities are considered illegal," he said.