Kiambu cleric in theft case to stand trial today

Former PCEA moderator David Gathanju with James Muiruri and Peter Mwangi at during a past proceeding at Kiambu Law Courts. [File, Standard]

The hearing of a case in which a former church leader David Gathanju and two others are charged with stealing Sh39 million will start today.

Mr Gathanju, who served as the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) General Assembly between 2009 and 2015, was charged in October 2017. Others charged are Peter Kamuthu and James Muiruri, all former employees of the church. 

They are charged that on diverse dates between January 2, 2016, and June 30, 2017, at PCEA headquarters in Nairobi's South C estate, they stole Sh39.9 million from the church.

A number of senior church officials who have already recorded statements with police are also set to be witnesses in the case.

They include Alfred Kanga and Amon Nderi, who are Deputy Secretary General and Honorary Treasurer of the church’s General Assembly respectively. Others are Jane Mwihaki (church accountant), Lydia Muthoni, a manager at Sweet Lake resort in Naivasha, and church auditor Maina Kinyua.

The accused are each out on Sh3 million bond.