Worshippers at Eaglerise Christian Church in Athi River on Sunday worshiped Outside their Church following recent wrangles that have rocked the Church. Photo By Virginia Siebella. 
By Virginia Siebella
Worshippers at Eaglerise Christian Church in Athi River on Sunday refused to enter their sanctuary, forcing the newly appointed pastor, Rev. Emmanuel Kioko, to preach to only two people who had accompanied him from Nairobi.
Instead, dozens of congregants held a parallel service outside the church, under the scorching sun and the watch of police officers.
The standoff marks an escalation of a leadership dispute that has rocked the church located in Makadara, Athi River, Machakos County.
According to members, they chose to worship outside because they were the ones who “bought the land and built the church.” Upon arriving for the Sunday service, they found Rev. Kioko and his two companions already inside the church waiting for them.
The worshippers rejected Kioko, calling him “a stranger” and questioned his presence, insisting that their founding pastor, Rev. Nahshon Mwangangi, was the rightful leader who had overseen the church’s construction.
Police officers from Athi River Police Station said they were present under a court order from the Mavoko court, issued in favor of Rev. Kioko.
The dispute, now in its third week, has led to the closure of the church, leaving members without a place of worship. On Sunday, they resorted to holding their service outside the church compound.
The church’s Secretary General, Rev. Tom Ndenge, described the situation as “shameful,” questioning why Kioko was being imposed on congregants who had clearly rejected him.
“It is sad to see members who financed the construction of the church being forced to worship outside, while three people who contributed nothing occupy the sanctuary,” Ndenge lamented.
He also criticized the lower court for issuing orders contrary to a stay order allegedly granted by a higher court.
On September 11, 2025, the Mavoko court issued an order barring Rev. Mwangangi from accessing the church premises, and he has not returned since.
Rev. Kioko declined to comment on the parallel services, saying he was “not authorized to speak to the media.”
He arrived at the church before 8 a.m. and left around 3 p.m., escorted by police officers through the Makadara shopping center, about four kilometers away, while making phone calls to arrange transport. He said he had used an Uber to get to the church.
Elizabeth Kyalo, one of the founding members of the church since its establishment by Mwangangi in 2009, said they want Mwangangi back and Kioko gone.
“I joined this church before I gave birth to my last child, who is now 14 years old. We want our pastor back,” she said.
Another member, Lucas Maweu, criticized the leadership changes, claiming that members were not consulted.
“We bought this land for Sh10 million, and we deserve to be involved in any leadership transition,” he stated.
