Kisii church demands Ksh7M refund from politician over disputed land deal

Members of Gospel Embassy Chapel in Kisii have demanded a refund of Ksh7 million, claiming they paid the sum to a politician for a parcel of land intended for a large church. During a media briefing on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the church members and their lawyers alleged the politician had failed to return the money despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue.

The clergy, supported by law enforcement, reported the politician's arrest and subsequent release from the Kisii Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after intervention by a high-ranking government official. The church now seeks President William Ruto's intervention to help retrieve the funds. Church Elder Rachel Nyatichi stated that the congregation had been servicing a loan for six years following an agreement with a bank, with the church members desiring the return of the Ksh7 million.

Isabella Metobo expressed anger over the lost funds, urging the politician to return them. Church Elder Hudson Mose warned of the consequences if the church's money was not returned, emphasizing the 5,000 members who would continue pursuing the matter until justice was served. The politician, contacted by local media, has not yet responded to the church's claims.

This dispute adds to previous concerns about questionable preachers and the proliferation of unregulated churches in Kisii, with the clergy calling for stricter self-regulation and caution among worshippers.