NAIROBI, Kenya – Mamlaka Hill Chapel founder Bishop Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a has sued four church officials over his dismissal, seeking reinstatement and more than Sh21 million in compensation and payment for unused annual leave.
Ng’ang’a has filed a petition at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, challenging the disciplinary process that led to his removal as bishop and the revocation of his ordination.
The respondents are Jonathan Njoroge, Rev. Richard Maulo Munala, James Chege and Geoffrey Kibathi Mbugua.
In his petition, Ng’ang’a argues that the church’s Elders’ Court lacked the authority to suspend or dismiss him and appoint Munala as acting bishop. He wants the court to determine whether the disciplinary proceedings and the decisions that followed were lawful.
Bishop Challenges Disciplinary Hearing
According to court documents, Ng’ang’a was suspended on March 27, 2026, before receiving a notice to show cause on June 11 over allegations of gross misconduct.
He says he requested details of the complaints, supporting evidence and clarification of the officials’ authority to discipline him but did not receive satisfactory responses.
The bishop was required to submit his response by June 22 and attend a hearing the following day. He argues that the time allowed was insufficient to prepare his defence and arrange for witnesses, including a pastor travelling from the United States.
Ng’ang’a attended the June 23 hearing and requested more time, but says the request was declined.
He further challenges the conduct of the hearing, arguing that complainants and witnesses were not heard and that evidence was neither presented nor examined in his presence.
He was dismissed two days later, according to the petition.
The church subsequently informed staff, congregants and international pastors of his removal as bishop and the revocation of his ordination. He was also removed from official staff WhatsApp groups, the court documents state.
Seeks Reinstatement And Sh21 Million
Through Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, Ng’ang’a wants the court to declare his dismissal and the disciplinary process unlawful.
He is seeking reinstatement without loss of salary, benefits, status or seniority.
His monetary claims include Sh14,833,764, equivalent to 12 months’ salary, and Sh6,207,039.60 for unused annual leave.
The two amounts total Sh21,040,803.60, excluding damages for alleged constitutional violations, interest and legal costs.
The petition states that Ng’ang’a earned a gross monthly salary of Sh1,236,147.
Pending the determination of the case, he wants the court to suspend the implementation of his dismissal, protect his access to church premises and prevent Munala from acting as bishop.
Church Officials Dispute Bishop’s Claims
The respondents have disputed Ng’ang’a’s account of the disciplinary process.
In a replying affidavit sworn on September 30 by Mbugua, the officials maintain that the Elders’ Court was properly constituted and ratified by the congregation.
They argue that Ng’ang’a’s employment contract governs his relationship with the church and that the church constitution does not determine the terms of his employment.
The respondents further maintain that the bishop received sufficient notice and an opportunity to respond to the allegations but chose not to make representations at the hearing.
They also argue that the four officials should not be held personally liable because the employment contract was between Ng’ang’a and the church.
Two Church Members Seek To Join Case
Separately, two church members, Professor Onesmus Muroki Thuo and Winnie Maru, have applied to join the proceedings as interested parties.
They argue that the dispute affects the congregation’s constitutional rights to elect its elders and determine its spiritual leadership.
Their application introduces a further issue in the case: the relationship between the church’s internal governance arrangements, the congregation’s role in choosing its leaders and the employment dispute before the court.
Mamlaka Hill Chapel Founded In 2005
Ng’ang’a established the ministry in August 2005, with its registration formalised in September 2014.
The church has four branches in Nairobi’s city centre, Ruaka, Diani and Kisumu.
He began serving as senior pastor under an employment agreement in January 2011 and was elevated to bishop in November 2019.
The court case places the church’s employment and leadership arrangements under scrutiny, with the parties presenting competing positions on the authority of its elders, the fairness of the disciplinary process and the terms governing Ng’ang’a’s employment.
