Uncertainty on mediation process after Bishop, priest disagree on compensation

The fate of mediation between a bishop and three priests who have sued him for defamation hangs in the balance after parties disagreed on who was to bear the cost of the suit.

Yesterday, the High Court in Nyeri referred the matter back to a team of six mediators after differences emerged between Bishop Joseph Kagunda of the Anglican Church's Mt Kenya West Diocese and the clergy.

The Rev Paul Warui, Archdeacon John Gachau and the Rev James Maigua had sued the bishop after he accused them of being gay. They filed three separate defamation cases against Kagunda in 2015.

The suit was however referred to a court mediation process on November 28 last year.

A key highlight of the mediation, and which had been agreed upon by the parties, was that Kagunda marshals Christians to accept the priests.

But yesterday, when the matter came up for mention before Justice Abigail Mshila, lawyers representing the bishop and the priests disagreed on the cost of the suit.

Justice Mshila directed that the mediators expound on the agreement and that and each of the parties append their signatures and the date.