Methodist Church bishop explains why he won't finish his term

Embattled Methodist Church in Kenya presiding Bishop Joseph Ntombura has announced he will be leaving way before the end of his tenure. Bishop Ntombura, who spoke at the church's headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, said that he will only remain in his position until his successor is picked.

He said he will leave if that will mean saving the church from splitting further even as he refuted reports that his term ended on August 4 last year.

"All Methodist members know very well that our church is governed by its constitution, standing orders, and resolutions of its conference. In that case, you are all aware there was an annual conference that took place on August 3, 2022, which extended the term of the current presiding bishop by two years," said Ntombura.

But bishop Ntombura, who has been at the helm of the church for 10 years now, disclosed that he has chosen to leave the church early, before 2024 when the two years that were added to his tenure are expected to end, just so he can save the church from further problems.

"I am cutting short my term. I will leave before 2024. I will ensure the process of getting a new presiding bishop can start this year and elections can be held. No one is above me in the church's hierarchy, meaning there is nobody I can handover over my resignation to now," Ntombura said.

Kidnap attempts

At the same time, Ntombura claimed that his life is in danger after his office at the church's headquarters was broken into on December 3 last year by people he claimed were goons sent to attack him.

The church leader also claimed there have been several attempts to kidnap him.

He said the problems that have split the church were started by people who were unhappy with his move to resist an alleged plan to sell church properties, especially land spread all over the country.

"The church owns the land, mainly at the Coast and in Meru County. We have about 600 primary and secondary schools around the country, not forgetting that Kenya Methodist University is owned and managed by the Church," said the bishop.

Ntombura said those who voted for him thought he would be a pushover and be used to sell the church properties, including land, but he resisted the move.

"There are some people who wanted me to authorize the sale of the properties so that some of the money can be used to settle the church's debts. I instead devised other means to settle the debts rather than sell its properties," Ntombura said.