Two top officials of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) have been sentenced for contempt of court after deliberately defying a judicial order prohibiting the installation of David Nderitu Ndumo as the church’s Honorary Treasurer.
In a ruling delivered on December 19, 2025, High Court Judge Stellah Mutuku sentenced PCEA Secretary-General Rev. Dr. Patrick Waihenya (also known as Rev. Dr. Robert Waihenya) to three months’ imprisonment, with the option of paying a Ksh. 150,000 fine.
The church’s Moderator, Rt. Rev. Patrick Thegu Mutahi (also referred to as Rev. Dr. Thegu Mutahi), was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment or a Ksh. 100,000 fine.
The contempt arose from the clerics’ participation in Ndumo’s installation on April 9, 2024, during the PCEA’s 24th General Assembly at St. Andrew’s Church in Nairobi, a ceremony attended by President William Ruto—despite an injunction issued the previous day on April 8, 2024.
Justice Mutuku quoted in her judgment: “While fully aware of the court order issued on April 8, 2024, the respondents proceeded to participate in the installation, thereby deliberately breaching the order of this court.”
She dismissed claims that the contempt had been purged, pointing out that the installation remains in effect and Ndumo continues to function in the role.
Emphasizing the supremacy of the rule of law, the judge stated that court orders are mandatory and must be obeyed by all, regardless of position or status, warning:
“A message must be sent to teach those who dare a lesson.”
The proceedings were initiated by PCEA member Benjamin Njoroge Mburu, who argued that Ndumo’s appointment violated church rules on integrity due to an ongoing case at the Cooperative Tribunal.
