Pastors Exchange Blows During Church Service

Chaos unfolded at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kurundas, Nyeri County on Sunday as members engaged in physical altercations following a disagreement over proposed leadership changes. The confrontation erupted after the weekly service was disrupted, capturing the attention of passersby.

The dispute, fueled by opposing views on impending leadership modifications, resulted in church members physically attacking each other outside the premises. Disturbing images and videos depicted elders exchanging blows while some congregants, locked outside, observed the turmoil with bewilderment.

The level of discord reached a point where the service continued with some members barred from entering the church. This incident prompted varied reactions from Kenyans, with online users questioning the example set by church leaders and expressing dismay over the lack of intervention.

This clash comes months after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua successfully mediated a 17-year-long dispute between different factions within AIPCA. In November, Gachagua facilitated a truce, declaring unity within the church and putting an end to prolonged factional battles.

Notably, this incident is part of a larger trend of conflicts erupting in churches over leadership disputes. In a December incident in Nairobi, a congregation protested against a bishop demanding a Toyota Prado amid the church’s financial challenges, leading to calls for the bishop’s transfer.

Critics have raised concerns about the impact of such conflicts on the public perception of church leadership. The expectation that churches should embody tranquility and moral leadership is being questioned, as these incidents continue to tarnish the image of religious institutions.

As the AIPCA leadership debacle unfolds, it adds to a growing list of church-related disputes, prompting a broader conversation about the role of leaders in maintaining harmony within religious communities.

The incident in Nyeri serves as a stark reminder that even places of worship are not immune to internal strife and that effective conflict resolution mechanisms are essential for sustaining the unity and integrity of religious institutions.