Divisions among leaders in Seventh Day Adventist Church escalated on Thursday just hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i donated two buses to serve in two conferences within East Kenya Union.
Early this week, a section of believers split for Central Kenya Conference, one of four conferences forming East Kenya Union, and formed Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference.
“This was the first of many Sabbath sessions we will hold across Nairobi and Kajiado stations to enlighten and sensitise faithful,” said Elder Sammy Masara.
“The membership of NCC will be both individual and corporate (churches). There will be no geographical limitations. Members and churches will be free to be members of NCC or CKC,” a document seen by The Standard reads.
While most churches in Nairobi remain in Central Kenya Conference, the Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference has attracted hundreds of worshippers and has already settled along Loita Street.
But CKC boss Pastor John Ngunyi, in a letter dated 17th April, has dismissed the new faction, insisting that it was not registered formally in accordance to SDA laws.
"A lot of information has been peddled on social media about Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference. We wish to inform you that it's not duly registered either in East Kenya or West Kenya unions. It does not exit therefore," read the letter.
Currently, East Kenya Union consists of Nyamira Conference, South Kenya Conference, Central Kenya Conference and Central Rift Conferences. West Kenya Union comprises of churches from Lake Region.
Dr Matiang'i, a church elder, worships in Nyamira Conference but at times in Central Kenya Conference in Nairobi. It's unclear whether he supports the NCC which emerged last week.