LOWELL, Mass.,--In what many hailed as one of the most significant and impacting funds drives by Kenyans in Boston, well wishers raised over $30,000 Sunday evening towards kidney transplant fees of George Njoroge, a 34 year old, poverty struck father of two stuck in his rural village of Naivasha Kenya with dwindling hopes of living further as the disease slowly consumes him.

According to the fundraiser organizing committee, Njoroge needed about $40,000 (KES4 million) to foot the bill of transporting him, his sister (the matching donor) and a caretaker to India as well as pay for the two surgeries needed.

But although the amount raised on Sunday did not quite meet the target, organizers were thankful and upbeat for the massive effort that will see over 90% of the bill paid for the transplant to start.

Hopes were high among family and friends that many Kenyans and well wishers who were not able to make it to the fund raiser would forward their donations that will hopefully top up the remaining $10,000.

The epic fundraiser took place at the PCEA Neema church in Lowell where many Kenyans present praised the patient's aunt, Hannah Karanja (Wamuita) for her rare display of compassion towards her nephew predicament.

Hannah was also lauded for her courage to seek funds from her local community in Boston in a bid to save Njoroge's life, so he can be there to provide for his family of 3 children and a wife--all who barely survive as peasant farmers back in Naivasha.

"This is a great development. The money raised today will definitely go a long way towards helping Njoroge get the treatment underway. We thank all who contributed from the bottom of our hearts. We hope that others will step up to make the remaining funds available," said Anne Maina (Mama Ndung'u), speaking on behalf of Hannah Wamuita while moving a vote of thanks at the end of the event.

"It is very rare for someone to think of the other the way Hannah has taken concern of her nephew who is suffering in Kenya. Right now, Njoroge who is sick in Kenya don't know if he will even be alive tomorrow. His entire hope is on what we will do here today. Let us unite as Kenyans to support this cause. We will do our part and pray that God will provide the healing to the ailing father the treatment begins," said Rev. Samuel Kimohu, pastor of the St. Stephens church while leading in a brief sermon right before the actual funds drive kicked off.

According to the family, two fund raisers had been done in Kenya last year towards the transplant. However, due to the insufficient amounts raised, the transplant was postponed and the raised funds spent towards dialysis treatment to keep Njoroge alive as the family searched for enough funds.

Several women present were moved to tears by the story of the suffering father of three and the genuine effort by local Diaspora Kenyans to try and help him out of the predicament.

Welcoming Kenyans to the event, Rev. Dr. Karimu Mumbui of the PCEA Neema church also thanked Wamuita for approaching the community with the very urgent need our of her concern.

Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui, left, and Rev. Samuel Komohu during the George Njoroge kidney transplant fundraiser at PCEA Neema church.AJABU PHOTO/H.MAINA

He said that is a good thing that Kenyans in the area can contribute to lift a suffering family out of their misery.

Thanking Kenyans for their support, Wamuita admitted that she was unsure if the community would be willing to come forward and help her save the life of her nephew.

"I did not think it would work out but I just convinced myself with the help of some family and friends that it will work. I thank all the guests of honors and Kenyans who came here, pastors and even those who have prayed for this thing out there. Thank you very much for the support you have shown me and my nephew. I pray that God bless you all," said Hannah Wamuita, the patients auntie.

George Njorooge and children, a Naivasha, Kenya based peasant farmer suffering for almost a year from lack of funds to perform a much needed kidney transplant. Kenyans in Boston raised $30,000 to help the father of two get the treatment and hopefully save his life. Photo by courtesy/Family File.

The event was conducted by Peter Kahora, a long time emcee in the Kenyan community who had gone for a while without doing his community gig due to tight family and work schedules.

"I am very happy that we were able to succeed very well at raising these funds today. This is a big effort on the part of the Kenyan community here and we applaud everyone for it. We hope the spirit of togetherness continues," said Kahora while winding down the fund raiser.

Several Kenyans praised the event as the most significant in the community especially in the wake of the recent multiple burial fundraisers that saw Kenyans donate more than $200,000 in about 2 months to ship dead compatriots back to the motherland.

"We have been donating a lot of money like the $70,000 and $47,000 we raised recently for burials of dead individuals here in Lowell. This fundraiser today one is more important since we are helping save the life of someone of who already alive, and can then move on to support his children.This is very commendable and we should be coming together to do more of this," said one Kenyan mother who requested anonymity.   

Funds can also be deposited at the following Bank of America Account:
Name: Hannah Karanja
Savings Act #:4662-651699
Routing #:011000138
Zip Code:01851

For more info, call:
Hannah Karanja: 978-677-4422
Wille Mbugua: 978- 851-2364, 978- 437-7191
Susan Karanja- 978-319-5195
Lawrence Mwaura- 978- 596-5134

BOSTON---Close to 300 Kenyans from all walks of life congregated at the PCEA Neema church Sunday where they raised $72,391 towards the family of Susan Mbagara, a young mother who recently relocated to Seattle, only to be diagnosed with Choriocarcinoma (a form of cancer of the uterine that originates from the cells the placenta)two weeks later.

The amount realized Sunday included some $10,690 raised by the organizing committee via an online Go-fundme account, putting the effort about $3,000 shy of the target amount of $75,000 planned in aid of the young family that is also grappling with the challenges of taking care of an 11 year old Autistic son.

Speaking to Ajabu African News at the conclusion of the event, several organizers said they remained confident that the deficit of $3,000 will be raised by Thanksgiving Day when the fundraising effort of slated to end.

"This was an amazing effort by all Kenyans and friends who came here today and those who donated online. The funds will go a long way toward helping this family that is undergoing a tremendous financial crisis even before they were able to settle down in Seattle," said Joseph Kariuki of Springfield, an organizing committee member and a cousin to Mbagara.

"I am pretty sure the balance will be raised by the Thanksgiving. There were many people who did not make it here today and there are others who still may want to donate online," he added.

A section of Kenyans attending Susan Mbagara's fundraiser at PCEA Neema church. AJABU PIC/H.MAINA

During the event, the ailing mother of one and her husband, Robert Omondi addressed guests via Skype from Seattle, thanking them for the tremendous show of love and support that is helping them cope with the challenge.

"When I was first diagnosed, I felt very lonely, like I was in the middle of an ocean. But the Kenyan community in Boston and Seattle gave us a lot of psychological support. That has helped me and my family a lot. Thank you very much and may God bless everyone," Suzie told the large crowd as the appeared on the television screens wearing glasses and no hair due to the effects of chemotherapy.

On his part, Omondi thanked the pastor of the Neema church, Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui and the church committee for allowing them to hold the fundraiser at the church, which made the logistics much easier.

He also thanked Kenyans who showed up and those who donated online for their generous efforts and support during a difficult season of his family's life.

"This has been a life changing moment for us. It happened for a reason, and soon we will find out why. Maybe God wants us to give back more to the community somehow," he reflected through Skype.

Reminding Kenyans to consult their primary care doctors for regular annual physical checkups, Dr. Mercy Kamau, a Kenyan Nurse Practitioner in Boston said that such a habit would go a long way to as a way to forestall the onset of diseases, or manage them effectively if already occurring.

The amazing feat was accomplished by Kenyans within less than half an hour at around 7pm, after long speeches and presentations almost derailed the effort that kicked off at 5pm, with many Kenyans anxious to leave for night shifts and family commitments on a Sunday evening.

Kenyan pastors.AJABU AFRICAN NEWS PIC/H/MAINA

However, quick action by Chris Kibathi, the emcee saved the day after he summoned up a dozen guests of honor in rapid succession for their contributions as the crowd thinned out rapidly.

About 13 Kenyan pastors from various churches attended, with Rev. Samuel Kimohu of St. Stephens's church leading in brief prayers for the family.

"I would like to thank all of you who answered the call to come here and donate for this family. It is very good to see people turning out to help a member of the community in need," said Dr. Karimi during a vote of thanks.

Many Kenyans present hailed the event for helping bring together under one roof many old friends who created the foundation of the Kenyan community in Boston in the early 2,000's to which Susan was part of, but have not socialized with each other in many years due to increased family,school and work committments.

"It's so great for all these many Kenyans who knew Susan and Omosh back in the 2,000s come here to help in this time of need. We wish Sue a quick recovery.One only wished we had an opportunity to meet like this more often, not just when there is an unfortunate event," said Charles "Doc" Mwangi, a renowned Kenyan transport business entrepreneur based in Malden.

Popular Kenyan gospel artiste,Caroline Wanjiru of the popular Kikuyu hit song,Muduiriri,graced the event with a performance that uplifted the spirits of guests present.

Gospel artiste Caroline Wanjiru. AJABU AFRICAN NEWS PIC/H/MAINA

Organizers urged those Kenyans and well wishers who may still want to donate to help reach the target amount of $75, 000 planned for to contact the organizing committee, make bank deposits or visit the online account set up for the fundraiser.

"This family just moved to a new state and they did not have time to set up their new insurance before this happened. Let's help them out by donating whatever small amount you can afford," pleaded Chris Kibathi, the emcee.

Organizers also thanked Ajabu Media for highlighting the plight of the family in a big way that helped mobilize well wishers from far and wide for the event , as well as adding to donations online.

"The article by Ajabu on the Friday before the event really helped us alot.So many people called us after reading and promised to attend. We highly appreciated", said Mary Kariba from Springfield.

Well wishers willing to chip in towards the noble goal are requested to post their contributions via the following means:

Bank Deposits:
Bank of America
Name: Mary M. Kagunye
Checking Account #: 0046-6141-3252
Routing #: 011000138

GoFundme:
https://www.gofundme.com/sue-smedicalfund

For more info, contact:
Mary Kariba: 508-930-8812
Carol Gatua: 781-308-2374
Kennedy Manyagi: 508-410-8975

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/events/646353912196002/

View More Ajabu Pics Below

(Updated Nov 16) BOSTON--Following reports of harassment and intimidation of racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, LGBTQ individuals and immigrants since Election Day, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that her office has established a new hotline for Massachusetts residents to report such incidents.

"In Massachusetts, we will protect people's rights, fight discrimination and keep people safe," said AG Healey. "There are reports from around the country following the election that people have been targeted and subjected to conduct that imperils safety and civil rights. Today, I am establishing a hotline for residents to report bias-motivated threats, harassment, and violence. Such conduct has no place in Massachusetts."

"The Police Departments across the Commonwealth are committed to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all individuals including racial, ethnic, religious, and LGBTQ groups are not violated by any form of harassment and/or intimidation contrary to the law and stand ready to investigate any allegations of wrongdoing and take the appropriate enforcement action," said Chief Brian Kyes, President of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs.

The hotline will be managed by attorneys and staff in the AG's Office.While not every incident will be appropriate for legal action, the AG's Office will be tracking reports and appropriate matters may be referred to local law enforcement or the Attorney General's Criminal Bureau.

Any Massachusetts resident who has witnessed or experienced bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence may call the Attorney General's Hotline at1-800-994-3228or fill out a civil rights complaint format this link.Residents may also contact the AG's Office through its social media platforms, includingFacebookandTwitter.

Potential hate crimes--including bias-motivated assault, battery, and property damage --should also be reported to the local police in the first instance. Residents who fear for their immediate safety should call 911.

Most hate crimes are prosecuted by the local District Attorney's Office.However, in some cases, the offender may also be prosecuted civilly, either in addition to criminal charges or instead of criminal charges, by the AG's Office under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA).

The MCRA protects the rights of all residents and visitors to Massachusetts to be free from bias-motivated threats, intimidation, and coercion.The MCRA protects the right to use public parks and transportation, walk on public streets, attend school, live peacefully, and enjoy other basic rights.Under the MCRA, the Attorney General may bring legal action against a perpetrator who threatens, intimidates, or coerces another person on the basis of that person's membership in a protected group (e.g., race, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability) or protected activity (e.g., exercising the right to vote or the right to associate).

Whether it's potential hate crimes, housing discrimination, or wage theft, the AG's Office encourages immigrant communities to come forward with their concerns without fear of reprisal based on immigration status.

For more information,visit the Attorney General's Office website.

BOSTON--The Kenyan community in the south shore area of Boston congregated last Sunday at the Grace Anglican church in Bridgewater to bid farewell to the family of Lenny Kimani, an active church member who is relocating back to the motherland with his wife and young son.

Kimani, who initially arrived in USA back in 2001 in search of a better life, is one among about 60 members of the former All Saints Community church Quincy who were ejected by their former pastor Rev. Fredrick Thanji over disagreements related to a proposed new church governing constitution and retiring pastor succession.

When the church crisis found its way to the Norfolk superior Court in Dedham, Kimani was one of the members who testified over several days in the summer of last year.

The suing group's case was dismissed over limitations of the First amendment of the US Constitution barring civil courts from intruding into the internal governance of hierarchical churches, and the manner in which the suit was filed.

The judge urged both parties to go back and negotiate a compromise in good faith.

However, as soon as the suite ended, the group of 60 members and 65 of their children were officially kicked off the church premises when the pastor filed a restraining order preventing them from returning from the church they had contributed to build and pay off a close to $1.5 million church building and children's center mortgage.

Due to the complicated nature of the order, the group was left holding their Sunday worship services under a tree outside the church building throughout the summer, but was not sustainable once the cold fall and winter season hit.

It was at that point when a concerned Anglican church in Bridgewater offered the group to share their premises located at 1095 South Street.

Since then, the group has been holding regular Sunday services starting from 12 noon to 2pm until the dispute with their church is settled in one way or the other.

"I am so happy to go back home with the knowledge that our church we fought so hard for has a place to worship. I am happy that our kids now have a place to meet for their Sunday school after they were kicked off from their other premises in Quincy. I thank God for all this that is happening," said Kimani while delivering a thank you note after prayers for him and his wife, June and son.

"I will never forget all the support and friendship all of you have shown to our family. We thank you very much for that. We will stay in touch through whatapp and other social media," added the father of one who also led Sunday school kids at the former All Saints church and now the Grace Anglican church.

Kimani caused a light moment when he revealed that his wife had made him spend a lot of time purchasing furnishings for a "Diaspora room" where any Diaspora based friend visiting the motherland can sleep in at their newly built family home in Nanyuki, near the base of Mt. Kenya.

The church pastor, Rev. Dorcas Abreletch thanked Kimani and his family for their relentless support and service to the church.

She urged them never to cease medicating on the word o God even when they return to the motherland.

"Don't stop on meditating on the word of God everyday and find a good church to serve at when you return back home. If you don't, you will find a lot of other things to pre-occupy your mind which may not be all that good to you and who you are," pastor Dorcas advised.

She wished the family a happy and successful time while back I the motherland, but cautioned them that if things don't pan out as planned, they are always welcome back to America.

During the vote of thanks, David Karumwa, one of the church elders, praised Kimani for this ethics as a hard worker and wished him even more success when he returns back home.

"I know you as a very hard working man who has a lot of ideas. If you could succeed in America the way you did, I am pretty sure you will also succeed while in Kenya," said Karumwa.

Rev. Agness Kuria, another pastor who serves at the church also helped coordinate the service attended by Kenyans from as far as Worcester and the Northshore.

The event was attended by close to 80 people who included Kenyans and several Americans invited by various friends.

"My main goal is to have my four year old son meet his great grand parents from both sides. I will then take time to learn what’s going on in Kenya, then implement what I have learned here and in Botswana where in lived for four years before immigrating to the US," Kimani told Ajabu Africa News.

"In the meantime, I will be more than happy to wake up every morning and have a cup of tea with my wife relaxing at the slopes of Mount Kenya," the clearly excited soon to be Diaspora returnee added as he prepared to jet off tomorrow Sunday March 5^th, after 20 years of life outside his motherland.

When it comes to making up after a fight, men and women have very different expectations.

A new study has shown that women would prefer men to dedicate quality time and cry while asking for forgiveness.

But in contrast, men consider a kind gesture or receiving a sexual favour as the best form of apology.

Researchers from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania investigated the best ways of reconciling a conflict between romantic partners.

In their study, male and female participants completed an online questionnaire that asked them to choose specific actions that they would do to make up with their partner after a fight.

Their answers were grouped by the researchers into 21 categories of possible behaviours.

These were then given to a second group of participants who were asked which methods they preferred.

The results showed that men rated a partner doing nice gestures and giving sexual favours as most effective.

Dr Joel Wade, lead author of the study, said: "Women may thereby use sexual favours as a way to reconcile with their male partner.

"Doing so may communicate to their male partner that they are still sexually accessible and as such do not want to end the relationship."

In contrast, the results showed that women preferred when their partner spent time with them after a fight, apologised and even cried to show their remorse.

Dr Wade said: "Women may rate spending time together more highly because this behaviour signals a partner's willingness to invest effort and limited resources (e.g. time) into their romantic pair-bond.

"Such actions by a man may signal the likelihood of a potentially high parental investment which women prefer."

The researchers suggest that women may view male partners who cry and apologise as being in touch with their emotions, without being too feminine.

Dr Wade added: "Women may find the act of their male partner apologising to be an effective reconciliation tactic because it is viewed as an altruistic act.

"A man's apology may redirect the cost of romantic conflict to himself rather than to his partner and thereby demonstrate his ability to provide emotional support and incur personal costs for his partner."

The son of a former women representative from the Rift Valley could spend up to 24 years behind bars in the US after he was sentenced for rape.

Leonard Kiptoo Langat who was training as US soldier at the United States Naval Academy is being is being dismissed from training in what could ruin his "American dream".

This follows his sentencing to 12 to 24 years in prison for a sex crime involving a minor in North Carolina.

Langat is said to have raped a minor who is the sister to his elder brother's wife.

The New York Times, one of the largest papers in the US, reported that Langat is on a leave of absence pending separation from the academy after pleading guilty to the sex offense.

Yesterday, the mother (name withheld) said he was not in communication with his son.

"I am not in touch with them," she said curtly, without denying that Langat is his son.

Tuition Tuition for training in the academy is fully funded by the Navy and the graduates starting salary are among highest in the US.

Langat was away from the academy on holiday break when the incident occurred on December 30 last year.

He entered the room of the female minor and engaged in unwanted sexual activity, police said.

Another woman related to the victim "caught" Langat in the child's room, said Capt. John Tierney of the Concord Police Department.

Family members brought the girl to a children's advocacy center, which provides services to abused children, where she reported him, Tierney said.

Langat, who lived in North Carolina, left the state after the incident and returned to the Naval Academy, Tierney said.

However, Concord police put out a fugitive warrant for his arrest.

He was arrested on January 9 and was held without bond and eventually charged with first-degree forcible sexual offense and statutory rape of a person less than 15 years old.

He was tried in the Cabarrus County Superior Court, where he pleaded guilty to indecent liberties with a minor, a felony sex offense in North Carolina.

Kenya's ambassador to the USA, H.E Robinson Njeru Githae will be recognized today at the Ajabu Africa Awards in Lowell for the key diplomatic role he played to finally enable direct flights from Kenya to New York scheduled to start in October 2018. Speaking to Ajabu Africa, Githae said that he had to convince former US President Barack Obama to put the direct flights as one of his key gifts to bring his Kenyan people during his visit as a sitting president in 2015.

Although talks for the direct flights had started years ago, progress remained slow and almost uncertain that it will ever happen until the ambassador stepped in to unclog the diplomatic logjam. Now a reality, tickets for the flights to New York have already started selling at Kenya Airways and several other airlines ready to spring into action to take advantage of the lucrative tourist market in Kenya and entire east African region. The development is also expected to open up faster and cheaper access to the US market for exports from Kenya and beyond.

At the same time, Venerable Peter Gachathi, the first Kenyan clergyman to launch a community church in USA when he launched the St. Paul’s Community church in Malden back in 1995 will be honored for the selfless effort. Gachathi will receive the award a day after a colorful retirement party that was held in his honor last night at the Lodge of Elks in Andover where the Ambassador also attended.

Dr. Michael Kisembo, a Ugandan community professor of Finance at Suffolk University in Boston and a renowned tax consultant will also be among a total of 11 nominees to be honored for their massive efforts to serve the African immigrant community in Massachusetts.

The event will kick off with a business roundtable discussions featuring Ambassador Githae, Shawn Rochester, the author of the Black tax book and Clement Kariuki Nganga (Wamaitu), a Kenyan Diaspora returnee formerly based in Houston and currently a financial consultant and part time lecturer of entrepreneurship and strategic management at the University of Nairobi.

Also the CEO of Uadilifu Properties LTD, a Kenyan based real estate Company in Nairobi and Allavida Kenya, a nonprofit organization promoting social enterprises managing the funds of Comic Relief International (Charity arm of American idol), Ng'ang'a will give a perspective of the current real estate market in Kenya and how to minimize risks for investors and investments in the exciting new Kitengela Diaspora Village his company is developing in partnership with Ajabu Ventures.

Awards will also be given to the best community master of ceremonies ( Mcee) for the year, best upcoming gospel artiste, community organizer, mental health awareness champion, and media courage and youth engagement.

The awards start with an outdoor barbecue from 3pm with the main gala event featuring dinner, awards, class of 2018 graduates parade , entertainment and fashion show kicking off at 6pm.

Venue:
Holy Ghost Society Hall
65 Village street (right off off exit 38 on RT 495).

Lowell, MA 01852
 

A month on since the first ever suicide prevention and emotional health seminar by Kenyans in Boston concerned about rising social problems, a review of the progress made and a future plan for the community is set to take tomorrow Sunday at the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester starting 3pm..

According to Jane Kimani, founder of the Uhai for Life group that has been spearheading the effort, experts who met with dozens of Kenyan youth during the initial seminar last month have been doing frantic follow up on many cases of troubled youths some of whom have been on the verge of suicide.

Kimani was however optimistic that the community can turn the tide with the new awareness campaign followed by actual interventions by expert clinicians and social workers as well as religious leaders.

Inviting members of the community to get involved, Kimani said that a way forward for the community will be debated during Sunday's event which will also serve as a fund raiser for Uhai for Life to raise funds that will help keep the interventions going.

Stressing for the need by the community to make urgent interventions to discuss and help the youth deal with a myriad of social issues thought to be leading to increased emotional problem, George Koko, as assistant pastor at the Christ is The Answer Church in North Chelmsford recently surprised worshippers when he revealed that he has been dealing with four near-suicide cases in the hopes of forestalling a disaster.

"Trust me; I know what I am talking about. I am dealing with four of them as we speak," Koko said during the Sunday service last week while announcing a crucial youth seminar going on since Friday to end tomorrow Sunday evening.

The Uhai for Life fundraiser and community debate meeting will take place form 3pm-8pm at the venue located at 65 Tainter Street, Worcester, MA.

The Youth Seminar at Citac church will take place from 3pm to 8pm as well at the church located at 52 Middlesex st. North Chelmsford, MA.

Donations to Uhai for Life can also be made by CashApp to:$JanetUhai or thought their website at:www.Uhai.org

The leadership of the Kenya Methodist Church has instructed its lawyers to go to court seeking orders for police protection ahead of Tuesday's annual conference as the fight for the institution's assets worth billions rages.

Presiding Bishop Joseph Ntombura said they are apprehensive certain forces within the church were hellbent on causing chaos during the meeting that will culminate in the election of the next head of the church.

Ntombura was installed as the presiding bishop of the church in 2013 and is expected to retire at the end of the year having served for the maximum two terms of five years.

He told journalists on Saturday that enemies from within were fighting him and the church leadership to have assets valued at over Sh12 billion sold with the aim of plundering the proceeds.

"The annual conference is the time for making key decisions of the church and those against the church leadership are keen on disrupting the activities of that day to achieve their selfish agenda," Ntombura said.

He said hired goons stormed the church premises in Nairobi in December last year and destroyed computers among other materials. 

The church has been having long-running battles which Ntombura said were being fueled by certain individuals from within the church including retired bishops. He did not give names.

"These people with vested interests want to interfere with the elections scheduled for Tuesday so they can have a way to install leaders who will sanction their wishes," he said.

Ntombura said Methodist has assets in all counties except in Mandera and Makueni where the church is yet to establish branches.

"We have parcels of land worth billions of shillings. The church owns resort and real estate properties in key towns and a university which they want to be sold and divided among individuals. I am the one standing in their way," he said.

He alluded to previous attacks at the church, saying the forces had the backing of powerful individuals within the government.

He claimed goons were already being mobilised from as far as Meru to come to Nairobi and cause chaos.

Bishop Ntombura pointed an accusing finger at the police whom he said were present during the previous attack but did nothing.

It is for this reason that their lawyers will move to court for protection orders.

"This time they are threatening to bring a bigger force. I wonder if that will be Kenya Defence Forces," he said.

Lawyer Danstan Omari said they had instructions to go to court on Monday seeking orders for the police to protect the lawfully installed leadership of the church and also for security during the annual conference.

Among the assets that have been identified for sale according to Ntombura are the Kenya Methodist University and conference and resort facilities in Nairobi.

The university's deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academics Reverend Mary Kinoti said the institution was doing well contrary to claims that it was suffering from debts and hence should be sold off.

"We have a population of about 8,000 students and also own the 16-floor Kemu Towers in the city centre. People should stop creating issues just to destabilise the institution," Kinoti said.

Bishop Ntombura said the Methodist Church is very well devolved with many synods and circuits that own various properties including land and buildings.

"Your vow as the presiding bishop is to protect both property and the faithful and that is what I'm determined to do," he said during the press conference at the church's resort and conference centre in Nairobi.