Tension gripped the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Katakwa Diocese on Wednesday after congregants from Katakwa Archdeaconry locked St. John’s Cathedral in protest over the election of the Diocese’s fourth bishop.
The agitated Christians gathered outside the cathedral, singing and dancing as they expressed their dissatisfaction with the June 13 election that saw Ven. Dr. Vitalis Job Ekuru elected as Bishop-elect of Katakwa Diocese.
In a dramatic demonstration, the protesters contributed money to purchase padlocks, which they used to secure the cathedral, the vicarage, and the main church gate.
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“Toa ndugu, toa dada, chochote ulicho nacho ili tununue vifuli ya kufunga kanisa,” the congregants sang repeatedly, urging members to contribute funds to facilitate the closure of the church premises.
The protesters also painted over the inscription “ACK Diocese of Katakwa St. John’s Katakwa” at the church entrance, a move they said symbolized their desire for administrative changes and their dissatisfaction with the current diocesan leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Noah Emuria read eight resolutions adopted by the congregants. Among the key demands was the immediate transfer of Parish Priest Rev. Duncan Ikaal.
The protesters further announced that all church services within the parish would, effective this Sunday, be conducted by lay readers until their grievances are addressed.
“We have stopped remitting quarterly subscriptions to the Diocese with immediate effect. The parish will instead use offerings and subscriptions to support lay readers,” one of the resolutions stated.
The group also declared that schools within Katakwa Archdeaconry that have traditionally reported to the Diocese would now answer directly to the parish.
At the centre of the dispute is the election of Ven. Dr. Vitalis Job Ekuru as the fourth Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Katakwa.
The congregants claim the election was unfair and have appealed to ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit to intervene and address their concerns.
“We are not comfortable with the elections held on June 13,” the protesters stated.
They argued that leadership of the Diocese has historically rotated among various archdeaconries and that Katakwa Archdeaconry has never produced a bishop since the Diocese was established.
“The first Bishop, Eliud Okiring, came from Mt. Elgon, the second Bishop, Zakayo Epus, came from Amagoro Archdeaconry, and the third Bishop, John Okude, came from Alupe Archdeaconry. Why should the seat return to Mt. Elgon before Katakwa Archdeaconry produces its first bishop?” they posed.
The protesters also questioned how all seven Provincial Synod delegates voted unanimously for Bishop-elect Ekuru, describing the outcome as suspicious.
Additionally, they warned that they would not allow the consecration and installation ceremony of the Bishop-elect to take place at the diocesan headquarters in Katakwa, contrary to church tradition which requires the Bishop-elect to process around the cathedral before installation.
Bishop-Elect Pledges to Serve Diocese
Despite the protests, the Anglican Church Electoral College officially announced Ven. Dr. Vitalis Job Ekuru as the fourth Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Katakwa.
The election was conducted by the Provincial Electoral College under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Ruto, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Eldoret.
Other members of the Electoral College included Rt. Rev. Julius Karanu, Bishop of Murang’a South, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Wandera, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Mumias.
Bishop-elect Ekuru succeeds Rt. Rev. John Okude, who recently retired after attaining the mandatory retirement age.
During the transition period, the Diocese has been under the oversight of Rt. Rev. Charles Onginjo, who has been serving as Commissary to the Archbishop.
Speaking after the announcement at the diocesan headquarters in Amagoro, Bishop-elect Ekuru thanked God for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work diligently for the growth and unity of the church.
The Diocese of Katakwa had not issued an official response to the protest or the resolutions announced by the congregants by the time of publication.