A defamation case filed against a senior bishop of the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church in Uasin Gishu by one of the church members has taken a new dimension at the Eldoret law courts. Archbishop Jackson Barno has proposed mediation in an attempt to settle the civil matter out of court.
When the case came up for mention before the presiding Principal Magistrate Peter Ireri, the bishop expressed confidence that the dispute with church member Simon Aluchio would be resolved amicably for the sake of unity and harmony within the church.
“Your honour, I request that you give us a chance to mediate before proceeding to a full trial,” Bishop Barno told the court. “I am optimistic that we shall solve the matter amicably.”
Simon Aluchio, a long-time member of the church, filed a lawsuit against the bishop for defamation after he accused the bishop of posting defamatory materials in the church’s WhatsApp group, ‘Overseers UG main altar’. Aluchio claims these posts depicted him as an immoral and evil person who had been suspended from the church.
“The publications against me, posted in our church WhatsApp group, have damaged my good reputation within the church, the youth ministry where I serve as a leader, my profession, and my private and public life,” Aluchio argued.
In his defence, Bishop Barno confirmed that Aluchio is a member of his church, where he serves as the bishop. However, Barno maintains that he has done no wrong and acted within the church’s mandate when he singled out Aluchio for disciplinary action.
The bishop further stated that the church has a strict code of conduct to which all members must adhere, and it is illogical for Aluchio to seek outside avenues rather than following the church’s internal disciplinary processes. Through his lawyer, the bishop had previously advised Aluchio to submit himself to the church’s disciplinary mechanism before resorting to the courts.
The matter will come up for mention on 18 May, when the principal magistrate is expected to provide further directions.
