By REUBEN OLITA
June 17, 2026| Christians from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Katakwa Diocese on Wednesday locked the entrance to St. John’s Cathedral in protest over what they termed a flawed election that saw Dr. Vitalis Job Ekuru (pictured inset) declared the fourth Bishop-elect of the diocese.
The agitated congregants, drawn largely from Katakwa Archdeaconry, sang and danced outside the church compound while collecting money to purchase locks used to secure the cathedral and the vicarage.
“Toa ndugu, toa dada, chochote ulicho nacho ili tununue vifuli ya kufunga kanisa,” the choir members sang repeatedly—a Swahili plea translating to: “Contribute brother and sister, whatever you have, so we can buy locks to close the church.”
In a dramatic show of defiance, the protesters used white paint to erase the words “ACK Diocese of Katakwa St. John’s Katakwa” from the church entrance—a symbolic act underscoring their push for the creation of a breakaway diocese. The main entrance to the church, the vicarage, and the cathedral gate were all locked by the irate congregants.
Speaking outside the cathedral, protester representative Noah Emuria read eight resolutions adopted by the group. Among them was a demand for the immediate transfer of Parish Priest Pastor Duncan Ikaal. The Christians further announced that all church services from this Sunday would 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 resolution stated. The protesters also declared that schools within Katakwa Archdeaconry that previously reported to the Diocese would henceforth answer directly to the parish.
At the heart of the dispute is the election of Dr. Ekuru, which the protesters claim was unfair. They have petitioned Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit to intervene. “We are not comfortable with the elections held on June 13,” they declared.
The protesters argued that leadership of the Diocese has historically rotated among different archdeaconries—and that Katakwa Archdeaconry has never produced a bishop. “The first Bishop, Eliud Okiring, came from Mt. Elgon, the second, Zakayo Epus, came from Amagoro Archdeaconry, and the third, John Okude, came from Alupe Archdeaconry. Why should the seat go back to Mt. Elgon before Katakwa Archdeaconry produces its first bishop?” they posed.
They also questioned how all seven Provincial Synod delegates voted unanimously for Bishop-elect Ekuru, terming the outcome suspicious.
The protesters further warned that the consecration ceremony of the Bishop-elect would not be allowed to take place at the Katakwa diocesan headquarters, where church regulations traditionally require the Bishop-elect to process around the cathedral before installation. The Diocese is yet to issue an official response.
ACK’s Troubled History of Bishop Elections
The Katakwa standoff is far from an isolated incident. The Anglican Church of Kenya has a long and turbulent history of disputed bishop elections that have frequently spilled into the streets and courtrooms.
Mt Kenya West Diocese: Court Battles Over Succession
The ACK Mt Kenya West Diocese has been embroiled in prolonged succession disputes following the retirement of Bishop Joseph Kagunda in April 2024 after 20 years at the helm. Kagunda’s tenure itself was marked by chaos, conflict, and leadership wrangles .
The High Court in Nyeri had to intervene, ordering Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit to commence the election process for a new bishop by November 13, 2024 . In another ruling, the court restrained Kagunda from convening a synod meeting, with a church member arguing that failure to adhere to the ACK Constitution “is likely to throw ACK Diocese of Mt Kenya West leadership into anarchy resulting in possible exposure of its entire membership into suffering” .
Even after elections were conducted, litigation continued, with a subsequent application for review being dismissed while costs were awarded to the defendants .
Maseno West Diocese: Election Nullified by Court
In 2019, the Maseno West Diocese witnessed a similarly contentious election when Rev. John Mark Haung Godia was declared bishop. A church member, Edwin Odera Ogumbo, went to court challenging the process, citing breaches of the ACK Constitution and rules of natural justice . He sought a declaration that the elections were irregular and null and void, a prohibitory order restraining the bishop-elect from assuming office, and an order for fresh elections.
Maseno East Diocese: Search Committee Controversy
In 2024, the Maseno East Diocese faced a petition challenging the election of Rev. Benard Otieno Owuor as bishop. Rev. Gordon Ouma Opiyo alleged that the Search Committee, chaired by Rt. Rev. Dr Moses Masamba, refused to interview him despite his valid nomination, violating his constitutional rights .
Kapenguria Diocese: Archbishop Under Fire
The newly formed Kapenguria Diocese, established in 2022, has also been rocked by turmoil. Clergy and members have accused Archbishop Ole Sapit of failing to address escalating leadership wrangles, alleging irregularities, lack of transparency, and unlawful pastoral assignments. Rev. Joshua Karinyang stated, “Because of the rules of the Anglican Church, it is required that things are done transparently. Since our diocese was formed in 2022, we have never had a proper structure” . One church elder went as far as calling Sapit “the worst archbishop we have ever had,” claiming they had written over 30 letters complaining about “illegality” within the diocese .
The Search Committee Debate
At the centre of many of these disputes lies the Search Committee—a body formed by the Archbishop comprising six members from the diocese and six from various parts of the country that shortlists candidates for election. Rev. Martin Olando, Principal of Bishop Hannington Institute, noted that the Search Committee has been contentious for a very long time, with some members proposing a constitutional amendment to have it abolished entirely .
Katakwa’s Own History of Struggle
Interestingly, Katakwa Diocese itself was born out of a protracted struggle. Between 1986 and 1991, Katakwa faithful camped at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi and went on a hunger strike to demand their own diocese—a protest that ultimately succeeded when Archbishop Manasses Kuria granted them a full diocese with Bishop Eliud Okiring as their first bishop . History, it seems, has come full circle.