Kenya, July 13 -- The African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kayole, Nairobi, was abruptly closed by its congregants on Sunday, July 13, amid escalating protests over allegations of rising homosexuality and financial mismanagement within the church leadership.
According to the faithful, they locked the church gates, accusing leaders of embezzling funds and failing to address concerns about moral conduct.
The dramatic shutdown has sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning the church's governance and its stance on social issues, further highlighting tensions within Kenya's religious institutions.
The AIPCA, a prominent African-initiated church with roots in Kenya's liberation struggle, has long been a cornerstone of spiritual and cultural identity for its members.
Established in the 1920s as a response to colonial missionary control, the church emphasises African expressions of Christianity, incorporating practices like polygamy and traditional rituals.
However, the Kayole branch has become a flashpoint for controversy, with congregants alleging that church funds, including tithes and offerings, have been misappropriated by leaders.
Sources reported accusations of embezzlement and claims that leaders have overstayed their terms without holding elections, violating church protocols.
"This is a betrayal of our faith," one protester told The Standard, reflecting the growing distrust among members.
The protests also centre on allegations of a "rise in homosexuality" within the church, a sensitive issue in Kenya, where same-sex relations remain illegal under colonial-era laws and are widely condemned by religious leaders.
In 2019, AIPCA Archbishop Julius Njoroge publicly opposed homosexuality, stating it was "against the values of our church" and ordering bishops to expel members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Kayole faithful's protest echoes this sentiment, with some accusing church leaders of failing to curb what they perceive as immoral behaviour.
Congregants highlight outrage, with claims that the church's moral fabric is eroding. However, these accusations lack specific evidence, and critics argue they may reflect broader societal tensions amplified by U.S. evangelical influences, as noted in a 2023 Foreign Policy report on anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns in Africa.
The closure of the Kayole AIPCA church has reignited discussions about the role of African Independent Churches (AICs) in addressing modern social challenges.
The AIPCA has faced internal strife before, with leadership wrangles and property disputes documented by The Standard in 2017. These conflicts, often tied to power struggles and financial control, have persisted despite interventions by former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki.
The current protests underscore deeper issues of transparency and accountability, with congregants demanding audits of church finances and fresh elections to replace leaders accused of overstaying their tenure.
Online reactions reflect a polarised public. Some netizens support the faithful's actions, viewing the closure as a stand against corruption and moral decay.
"The church should be a sanctuary, not a den of thieves," one user posted on social media.
Others criticise the protests as divisive, arguing that allegations of homosexuality are being weaponised to distract from financial mismanagement.
Human rights activists, including those from Kenya's LGBTQ+ community, have condemned the rhetoric, citing a 2025 New York Times report on the challenges faced by queer-friendly churches in Nairobi amid rising hostility.
They warn that such protests risk fuelling violence against marginalised groups in a country where President William Ruto has declared homosexuality "unacceptable".
As the Kayole AIPCA remains shuttered, the congregation awaits mediation from church elders and the National Police Service, which has been deployed to maintain order.
The controversy has drawn comparisons to past AIPCA disputes, such as the 2023 fallout involving Pastor Ben Kiengei, who left to start his own church amid leadership conflicts.
With no resolution in sight, the Kayole crisis highlights the delicate balance between faith, governance, and social change in Kenya's evolving religious landscape, leaving many to wonder whether the AIPCA can regain its congregants' trust.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.