Lake Victoria Field Youth Demand Accountability from Church Leadership Amid Explosive Scandals
Homa Bay, Kenya: A group of concerned youths from the Lake Victoria Field (LVF) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has issued an open letter addressed to the President of the West Kenya Union Conference (WKUC), calling for urgent reforms and accountability in church leadership. The letter, which has also been copied to the East-Central Africa Division (ECD) leaders, the WKUC Executive Secretary, the WKUC Chief Financial Officer, and Lake Victoria Field officers, raises serious allegations against key church leaders, including accusations of infidelity, financial mismanagement, and abuse of power.
Allegations of Infidelity and Moral Decay
One of the primary concerns raised in the letter pertains to widespread allegations of infidelity among church leaders. The President of LVF himself has been accused of engaging in extramarital affairs with multiple women across different regions, including Mbita, Rabuor Karungu, Sindo, and Migori South. The letter also makes reference to an alleged incident at SPASS Resort Hotel in Eldoret on October 6, 2024, where the President reportedly spent a weekend with an unnamed woman while on an official church assignment.
Additionally, BOG Dianga, a high-ranking official within the LVF, has been implicated in multiple extramarital affairs, including relationships with various women across Mfangano, Mbita, and Homa Bay. It is alleged that he was even caught in a compromising situation with a widow in Otaro, resulting in a physical altercation with the woman’s relatives. Other church leaders, including Pr. Clement Kaunda and Pr. Julius Owuor, have also been accused of maintaining multiple relationships in violation of church teachings and ethical standards.
Nepotism and Favoritism in Leadership
The youths have further accused the LVF leadership of engaging in blatant nepotism, citing the preferential treatment of family members and close associates. For instance, the President’s blood brother, Pr. Jared Mrongo, was allegedly fast-tracked for regularization despite having worked for only six years, while other pastors with decades of service remain unconsidered. Similarly, other relatives, including Pr. Henry Ochieng and Pr. Allan Onyango, have reportedly been shielded from disciplinary action despite multiple complaints from congregants regarding their conduct.
Financial Mismanagement and Exploitation of Members
Another major concern highlighted in the letter is the alleged financial impropriety within the church leadership. BOG Dianga is accused of exploiting church members by soliciting funds for his ordination through WhatsApp groups, raising over Ksh. 250,000 from unsuspecting congregants. Further, the letter claims that Dianga has been earning dual salaries from both the church and the government, despite retiring from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in September 2024. This case of double employment, reportedly known to the President, even attracted the attention of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Mbita.
Other financial malpractices mentioned include Pr. Benard Onyango’s alleged involvement in trust fund theft at Wanyama and Kitare districts. The letter states that he manipulated tithe envelopes during a district gathering, took the cash, and destroyed the envelopes to conceal his actions. The youths are now demanding a thorough audit of church finances and an end to what they term as the “monetization of pastoral ministry.”
Calls for Immediate Action
In light of these allegations, the LVF youths have outlined several immediate demands, including:
- The removal of Pr. Samson Okwach from office for negligence, promiscuity, nepotism, financial mismanagement, and intentional cover-ups.
- The dismissal of BOG Dianga for financial impropriety, promiscuity, and unethical behavior.
- The suspension and investigation of multiple pastors, including Pr. Henry Ochieng, Pr. Benard Okoth, and Pr. Edward Nyagaya Jr., for alleged misconduct.
- The reinstatement of workers who were dismissed based on what the youths describe as “trumped-up charges.”
- The establishment of a caretaker committee comprising pastors and lay church members of integrity to oversee spiritual and administrative affairs until new leadership elections can be conducted.
Threat of Public Exposure
The letter concludes with a stern warning that failure to address these issues will result in the release of damning evidence, including videos, audio recordings, and text messages exposing the alleged misconduct. The youths insist that they will not back down until justice is served and integrity is restored in the leadership of the Lake Victoria Field.
As this controversy unfolds, church members and observers are waiting to see how the WKUC leadership will respond to these explosive allegations. With growing pressure from the congregation, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining the future of church governance in the region.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Click Read to Get The Letter.
