The high court has ruled on the PAG church's decision to ban women from vying for executive office, terming the move unconstitutional.
The three petitioners challenged numerous aspects of the PAG-K Church Constitution, including prohibiting women from running for church administrative positions. They said that this rule infringed on basic rights and freedoms granted by Kenya's 2010 Constitution.
The High Court deemed this section illegal, agreeing with the petitioners' claim that it was discriminatory and breached the Kenyan Constitution's values of equality and non-discrimination.
The ruling implies that all members, regardless of gender, have equal voting rights in the church's leadership elections.
In addition to the verdict, the petitioners made severe claims against Rev. Patrick Musungu Lihanda, the General Superintendent of PAG-K. They accused him of misappropriating over Kshs 3,000,000 of the church's money.
They urged his removal from office, claiming he had breached Chapter Six of the Constitution, which addresses leadership and integrity.
They also alleged that Rev. Lihanda exploited his position, resulting in compromised leadership within the church, and called for restructuring its leadership to guarantee adherence to constitutional values.
"An order be and is hereby issued to the effect that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG)-Kenya Church Constitution 1998 be amended within the limits determined by members of PAG K Church within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of this decision under the supervision of the registrar of societies" the High court ordered.
The respondents, including Rev. Lihanda, rejected all claims of misappropriation and abuse of office.
They claimed that the money was legitimately used for religious operations and that the petitioners had failed to prove any wrongdoing.
They also argued that the present PAG-K constitutional provisions were misconstrued and that any required changes should be undertaken within the church's existing institutions.
