Bishop Mwarandu is dead

Dr Bishop Morris Marandu. [Courtesy]

Dr Bishop Morris Mwarandu of the Lords Gathering Fellowship Church is dead.

The 73-year-old cleric, who has been battling high blood pressure and diabetes for years, died today at Nairobi West Hospital while undergoing treatment.

Since the onset of Covid-19 in March last year, Mwarandu had been living in his coastal home, Holoholo village in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County.

He had been spending more time in semi-retirement as his son Gideon Mwarandu run the church in Nairobi.

"We have lost mzee. Right now we are praying for God's strength for his son who is now heading the church, his family, and the entire congregation because Bishop was so many things to us.  He had been sickly but was always in high spirits," said Frederick Musembi, a pastor at Lord's Gathering Fellowship Church.

 In a message of condolence, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his wife Tessie said they were saddened by Mwarandu's death.

 “Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and church fraternity. May peace and strength be with you as you walk this difficult journey. Rest In Peace Bishop,” reads Mudavadi’s message on his Facebook page.

 Mwarandu was the founder and presiding bishop of Lords Gathering Fellowship church, an offshoot of Redeemed Gospel Church on Outering Road.

His fallout with Redeemed Gospel Church was widely reported in the media.

Formerly a pastor at the Bishop Arthur Kitonga-led Redeemed Church, Mwarandu quit and founded his church. This was after Redeemed Church went to court, saying Mwarandu should stop using the church's name.

Bishop Mwarandu leaves behind his wife of 40 years Christine Ega Mwarandu and six sons.