- Ng’ang’a accuses four church officials of overseeing an unlawful disciplinary process that he claims violated his right to a fair hearing.
Mamlaka Hill Chapel founder and bishop Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a has filed a court petition challenging his dismissal from the church, seeking reinstatement and more than Ksh.21 million in compensation and unpaid leave benefits.
Ng’ang’a has moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, accusing four church officials of overseeing an unlawful disciplinary process that he claims violated his right to a fair hearing.
The respondents named in the case are Jonathan Njoroge, Rev. Richard Maulo Munala, James Chege and Geoffrey Kibathi Mbugua.
In his court filings, Ng’ang’a says he established the church in August 2005 and later entered into an employment contract as senior pastor in January 2011.
He states that his gross monthly salary increased from Ksh.384,314 to Ksh.1,236,147 during his tenure. He was ordained bishop in November 2019.
The dispute follows his suspension on March 27, 2026, and his subsequent summary dismissal on June 25, 2026.
Ng’ang’a alleges that the four officials, acting as the church’s Elders’ Court, lacked the authority to suspend him or appoint Munala as acting bishop.
According to the petition, he received a notice to show cause on June 11, 2026, accusing him of gross misconduct. He says he sought details of the complaints, the evidence supporting the allegations, and clarification on the respondents’ mandate to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him.
He was reportedly given until June 22 to respond and directed to attend a disciplinary hearing on June 23.
Ng’ang’a maintains that he requested more time to prepare his defence and arrange for witnesses, including a pastor based in the United States. Although he attended the scheduled hearing, he alleges the panel did not adequately address his requests.
He further claims that no complainant or witness was heard during the meeting and that no evidence was presented or examined in his presence. He says he received a dismissal letter two days later.
A communication circulated on June 26 to church staff, congregants and international pastors allegedly announced his removal as bishop, revoked his ordination and withdrew the church’s recognition of him as a reverend.
The former church leader is also challenging the officials’ authority to revoke his ordination. He claims that he was subsequently removed from official staff WhatsApp groups.
Ng’ang’a appealed the dismissal internally on June 27, but questions the independence of the committee that reviewed his case. He alleges that the committee members were appointed by the same officials responsible for the initial disciplinary decision.
The petition says the appeal was dismissed on July 17.
Through his lawyers, Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, Ng’ang’a argues that the process infringed his rights to fair labour practices, fair administrative action, and human dignity.
He is seeking Ksh.14,833,764, representing 12 months of his salary as compensation for alleged unfair dismissal, in addition to Ksh.6,207,039.60 in accrued annual leave.
His claims also include additional damages for alleged constitutional violations, interest and legal costs.
In a separate application, Ng’ang’a is asking the court to suspend the implementation of his dismissal, safeguard his access to church premises and duties, and restrain Munala from serving as bishop until the dispute is determined.