Dismissed Bishop sues Mamlaka Hill Chapel elders for Sh21 million

Mamlaka Hill Chapel founder Bishop Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a has moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi to challenge his dismissal, seeking reinstatement and more than Sh21 million in compensation and payment for unused leave.

Ng’ang’a has filed a petition against four church officials, contesting the disciplinary process that led to his removal as bishop and the revocation of his ordination.

The respondents are Jonathan Njoroge, Rev. Richard Maulo Munala, James Chege and Geoffrey Kibathi Mbugua.

In his petition, Ng’ang’a argues that the church’s Elders’ Court lacked the authority to suspend or dismiss him and appoint Munala as acting bishop. He is asking the court to determine the legality of the disciplinary process and the decisions that followed.

According to the petition, Ng’ang’a was suspended on March 27, 2026, before receiving a notice to show cause on June 11 over allegations of gross misconduct.

He says he requested details of the complaints, the supporting evidence and clarification of the officials’ authority to discipline him but did not receive satisfactory responses.

The bishop was required to submit his response by June 22 and attend a hearing the following day. He argues that the time allowed was insufficient to prepare his defence and arrange for witnesses, including a pastor travelling from the United States.

Ng’ang’a attended the hearing on June 23 and requested more time but says the request was declined.

In the petition, he challenges the manner in which the hearing was conducted, arguing that complainants and witnesses were not heard and that evidence was not presented or examined in his presence.

He was dismissed two days later, according to the court documents.

The church subsequently informed staff, congregants and international pastors of his removal as bishop and the revocation of his ordination. He was also removed from official staff WhatsApp groups, the petition states.

Ng’ang’a lodged an internal appeal on June 27, but argues that the process was not independent because the officials he had challenged selected the appeal committee.

The committee upheld his dismissal on July 17.

Through Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, the bishop wants the court to declare the disciplinary process and his dismissal unlawful and order his reinstatement without loss of salary, benefits, status or seniority.

He is seeking Sh14,833,764, equivalent to 12 months’ salary, and Sh6,207,039.60 for unused annual leave. He has also asked for damages over alleged constitutional violations, interest and legal costs.

The petition states that Ng’ang’a earned a gross monthly salary of Sh1,236,147.

Pending the determination of the case, he wants the court to suspend the implementation of his dismissal, protect his access to church premises and prevent Munala from acting as bishop.

However, the respondents dispute his account of the disciplinary process.

In a replying affidavit sworn on September 30 by Mbugua, the respondents maintain that the Elders’ Court was properly constituted and ratified by the congregation.

They argue that Ng’ang’a’s employment contract governs the relationship between him and the church, and that the church constitution does not determine the terms of his employment.

The respondents also maintain that the bishop received sufficient notice and an opportunity to respond to the allegations but chose not to make representations at the hearing.

They further argue that the four officials should not be held personally liable because the employment contract was between Ng’ang’a and the church.

Separately, two church members, Professor Onesmus Muroki Thuo and Winnie Maru, have applied to join the proceedings as interested parties.

They argue that the dispute affects the congregation’s constitutional rights to elect its elders and determine its spiritual leadership.

The case places the church’s employment and leadership arrangements before the court, with the parties presenting differing positions on the authority of its elders, the disciplinary process and the terms governing the bishop’s employment.

Ng’ang’a established the ministry in August 2005, with its registration formalised in September 2014. The church has four branches in Nairobi’s city centre, Ruaka, Diani and Kisumu.

He began serving as senior pastor under an employment agreement in January 2011 and was elevated to bishop in November 2019.