BISHOP Margaret Wanjiru, the Housing assistant minister, has been banned from conducting marriages. The Kenya Gazette notice dated September 9 signed by the Senior Deputy Registrar of Marriages FSM Ng'ang'a withdrew Wanjiru's licence with immediate effect.
Wanjiru, the MP for Starehe, is also the presiding bishop of Jesus is Alive Ministries which is part of the Redeemed Gospel Churches of Kenya. "Notice is given that in exercise of the powers confirmed by section 6 (1) of the African Christian Marriage and Divorce Act, the ministers named in the schedule hereto have had their licence to celebrate marriage under the provisions of the said Act cancelled," said the notice.
The decision will affect thousands of Wanjiru's followers who jampack the JIAM church and offices on Haile Selassie Highway, Nairobi, every Sunday. Other church ministers whose licences have been cancelled are Rev Perminus Kinyua, Rev Julius Kigunda and Rev Joseph Kamau Njoroge of Christian Church International.
The registrar also banned Pastor Job Ngugi of Vision and Hope Revival Centre, Rev Joseph Boro of Nairobi Community Centre, Rev Robert Wafula of Jesus Worship Sanctuary, Rev Paul Mulatya Makula of Agape Community Ministry Kenya and Rev Gabriel Wanjohi Waweru of the Christian Church International from solemnising marriages.
Wanjiru is known for her catchphrase 'The Glory is Here!'. She told the Star that the notice in the Kenya Gazette was "procedural" and did not mean she cannot conduct marriages. She said she had been licensed to marry couples but her status has changed. “I was then registered a pastor under the Redeemed Gospel Churches but now l am an ordained Bishop of the Jesus is Alive Ministries,” she told the Star yesterday.
Wanjiru explained that she could not be registered both as Pastor Margaret Wanjiru of Redeemed Gospel Church and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of JIAM and had to choose one between them. Senior Counsel Paul Muite said it was "strange" that such action would be taken by the registrar.
He explained that it is the responsibility of the church to seek registration of ordained clergy with authority to solemnise marriages. "The only time someone can be deregistered is if the recommending church is not registered; or the individual has not been ordained or has been excommunicated by the church," Muite said.
Wanjiru was ordained by Bishop Arthur Kitonga when he was the head of the Redeemed Gospel churches. Kitonga, who has since retired, was yesterday not available for comment. However, a church bishop who cannot be identified because he is not authorised to make an official comment said of Wanjiru, "She first applied for the licence under the Redeemed Gospel Churches many years back and she was granted.
Now for her to claim that the reason her licence has been cancelled is just because she has applied for a new one is rather peculiar. She simply could have updated her status since she now runs her own church." Bishop Wanjiru's JIAM is described on her website as one of the fastest growing churches in Africa.
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