The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Secretary-General, Rev. Dr. Patrick Waihenya, and the church’s Moderator, Rev. Dr. Thegu Mutahi, have been fined KSh150,000 and KSh100,000 respectively for disobeying court orders.
The two senior clerics were convicted of contempt of court after a judge found that they willfully violated orders barring the installation of David Nderitu Ndumo as the PCEA Honorary Treasurer.
Rev. Dr. Waihenya was sentenced to three months in jail or a fine of KSh150,000, while Rev. Mutahi was ordered to serve one month in jail or pay KSh100,000.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Stella Mutuku said the clerics were fully aware of the injunction issued on April 8, 2024, but proceeded to install Ndumo despite the subsisting court orders.
“While fully aware of the court order issued on April 8, 2024, the respondents proceeded to participate in the installation, thereby deliberately breaching the order of this court,” Justice Mutuku stated.
The court directed the two to pay the fines, warning that failure to do so would attract further legal consequences.
Justice Mutuku faulted the church leaders for openly defying the law, noting that no individual or institution is above court authority and that court orders must be obeyed regardless of position or status.
