Nandi man stops AIC Kenya elections through court

The High Court has issued an order to halt the upcoming elections for various organizational councils of the Africa Inland Church-Kenya (AIC-K) scheduled for November 12. 

This decision comes in response to a case brought forward by AIC-K members, led by Reverend Stephen Melly.

 They argued that the elections were flawed since the presiding bishops had not included all the necessary offices to be declared vacant. 

The case names Reverend Abraham Mulwa, the presiding Bishop, along with Deputy Presiding Bishop Paul Kirui, Samuel Gichuhi, the National Treasurer, and Reverend John Kitala as respondents. 

The members expressed concerns that the elections were proceeding without subjecting the office of the bishops to the electoral process.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued a temporary order that prevents the respondents and their agents from conducting the AIC-K elections on November 12 at various organizational levels, including local church councils, district church councils, regional church councils, area church councils, and central church councils.

 This order will remain in effect pending the hearing of the application inter-parties. The court directed that the application and the petition be served upon the respondents within the next three days, and responses to the application and the petition should be filed within 7 days from the date of service.

 The members who initiated the case expressed concerns that their right to vote for their preferred candidates was under threat.

The halted elections were initially set to begin on November 12 with local church council elections and conclude on January 11 next year with the elections of the Central Church Council. Justice Mugambi scheduled the matter to be mentioned on November 29 to confirm compliance and provide further directions.

Melly is a member of the Africa Inland Church Kenya at Kesogon Local Church.

He is also the Chairman of the Chebisaas District Church Council (DCC) in the Chebisaas Regional Church Council (RCC) of Nandi Area Church Council.