Court hearing set as mediation fails in artiste, SDA Church case

A legal battle is set to continue after gospel artiste Lorine Otieno and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church failed to reach an agreement during court-ordered mediation.

Otieno had sued the SDA Church and several of its leaders for barring her from performing in its churches.

Homa Bay High Court had referred the parties to mediation on October 2, hoping they would resolve the dispute and reach an out-of-court settlement.

The court appointed Eve Awuor Ojienda to oversee the process, bringing together Otieno and the SDA leaders. Initially, the mediation proceeded well, with both sides acknowledging its importance. "Initially, the parties agreed to meet and solve their issues amicably. The discussion was interactive and the outcome was productive," Ojienda noted.

However, as the sessions addressed the core issues, the parties could not reconcile their differences. In her final report, Ojienda stated that a misunderstanding over key points prevented any agreement. "The discussion was valid, but later, there was no agreement reached by the parties," she said.

During the court mention, Deputy Registrar Christine Auka confirmed the impasse, noting the respondents' absence and setting a full hearing for February 9, 2026.

Otieno, known across Nyanza for her Dholuo gospel music, claims the church's ban has damaged her career, both financially and emotionally. She listed the Southern Kenya Lake Field administrative committee as the first respondent, with additional respondents including Daniel Odek, the Southern Kenya Lake Field of SDA Church, West Kenya Union Conference of the SDA Church and SDA Church (East Africa) Limited.

According to her petition, the ban abruptly hindered her career, tarnishing her reputation and causing followers and supporters to withdraw. "Many individuals who previously engaged her services have withdrawn their support, citing concerns over her standing with the church. The loss of engagement has damaged her career and undermined her ability to sustain her ministry," her affidavit stated.

Otieno argued that the memo announcing the ban circulated widely on social media and digital news platforms, affecting her primary audience in South Nyanza, especially the Luo and Abagusii communities. The singer also noted that she was denied a chance to defend herself before the ban was imposed.

This dispute now heads to a full hearing, with both sides preparing to present their case before the court.