Crisis in Nyamira as two rival bishops installed in one diocese during parallel ceremonies

In a faith meant to unify, a bitter division has taken root. A spiritual tug-of-war is playing out in the heart of Nyamira, where the Evangelical Lutheran Church now finds itself with not one but two bishops, two different ceremonies, and one diocese.

At Nyamira Boys High School, Bernard Nyanyuki Nyakundi was consecrated in a ceremony presided over by Archbishop Dr. Joseph Ochola.

But just a few kilometers away, at the Lutheran Church in Ogango, a parallel ceremony was taking place.

Andrew Atunga Ong’ondo was also being consecrated—backed by a determined faction that insists their choice reflects the true voice of the people. The group is accusing the archbishop of favoritism.

"Askofu mkuu alituita kwa mara ya pili, and probably baada ya kushawishiwa na wale wanaomuongoza... he is in captivity, he is a captive of certain individuals in the name of returning officer. Maaskofu ambao ni predecessors wake walim-advice awaache watu wa Nyamira wachague kiongozi wao, lakini alikataa hayo," Ong'ondo said.

Mochiemo, meanwhile, told faithful: "Katika diocese yetu ya Nyamira, uchaguzi unafanyika katika ofisi kuu, na ofisi yetu kuu ni hapa mahali tuko sasa. Na uongozi wowote unachaguliwa nje ya diocese, nje ya ofisi kuu, ni uongozi usio halali."

Accusations of irregularities, two competing ballots, and deepening cracks within the church council have left congregants in confusion—pitting church followers against one another.

"Kwa sababu kulikuwa na uhaba wa delegates, waligeuza hata wale relatives kutoka yale madhehebu mengine kama Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Church na madhehebu mengine—wakawa wapiga kura na wakamchagua," Ong'ondo said.

The archbishop, however, insists that the leader of any diocese is consecrated by him.

Ochola said: "This is the bishop that we will present to this diocese in our church council, in all the bodies and functions of this church. And therefore, if somebody will come from somewhere claiming to be the bishop of Nyamira, that is outside the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya."

"Kwa sababu kanisa na askofu mkuu wamekuwa pamoja nasi, wamefanya kazi yao. Nawahakikishia kwa uwezo wa Mungu, nitafanya kazi katika diocese hii ya Nyamira. Najua kuna wenzetu hawako hapa, lakini nataka kusema mlango hu wazi," said Nyakundi.

With tensions rising and the faithful left adrift, one question lingers: When will the church that preaches unity find the humility to practice it?