Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Nakuru will have to part with Sh5.5 million after Nakuru High Court ruled that Kamira Wanjau be paid the amount as compensation for damages inflicted by the church after his sacking.
Justice Janet Mulwa directed the church to pay the Nakuru-based businessman the quoted compensation.
Through his lawyer Karanja Mbugua, Cool Rivers Hotel owner Mr. Wanjau sued the Presbyterian Church of East Africa Foundation after a letter that announced his sacking was read more than 30 times in different churches.
This happened in November 2013 on three consecutive Sundays.
The elder then moved to court to seek legal action against the church.
In her judgement Justice Mulwa said: “The court finds that the announcements were malicious and aimed at ruining his reputation. After consideration of all evidence presented in court, the court finds it necessary to award him Sh5.5 million as compensation for the damages caused.”
Wanjau argued that the letter portrayed him as an old crook, arrogant and indiscipline. The disagreement resulted from a management tussle of a Sh90 million church house in Milimani.
He was accused of holding on the property's documents including title deed, keys and financial returns demanded by the church.
“I was the chairman of the caretaker committee, which was in charge of maintaining the house. There was no way I could just hand over the key without permission from other members,” Mr. Wanjau told the court.