Mamlaka Hill Chapel founder and former senior pastor, Bishop Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a, has taken legal action against four top church officials following his summary dismissal, seeking court-ordered reinstatement alongside more than Ksh. 21 million in compensation and accrued benefits.

In a petition filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, Ng’ang’a accuses Jonathan Njoroge, Rev. Richard Maulo Munala, James Chege, and Geoffrey Kibathi Mbugua of orchestrating an unlawful disciplinary process that infringed upon his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

According to court documents, Ng’ang’a founded Mamlaka Hill Chapel in August 2005 and formally entered into an employment contract as senior pastor in January 2011. Over his tenure, his gross monthly salary rose from Ksh.384,314 to Ksh.1,236,147 before his ordination as bishop in November 2019.

Disciplinary Controversy and Dismissal

The leadership row escalated when the church suspended Ng’ang’a on March 27, 2026, culminating in his summary dismissal on June 25, 2026.

Ng’ang’a contends that the four officials, operating as the church’s Elders’ Court, possessed no legal authority to suspend him or appoint Munala as acting bishop. He states that he received a show-cause notice alleging gross misconduct on June 11, 2026, after which he requested specific details regarding the complaints, supporting evidence, and clarification on the respondents’ mandate to discipline him.

Although directed to submit a response by June 22 and appear before a disciplinary panel on June 23, Ng’ang’a maintains that officials ignored his requests for additional time to prepare his defense and arrange for witnesses, including a US-based pastor.

He alleges that despite attending the hearing, the panel presented no evidence, examined no witnesses, and failed to hear from any complainant in his presence before issuing his dismissal letter two days later.

Following the decision, a communication circulated on June 26 to congregants, church staff, and international ministry partners announced his removal, revoked his ordination, and withdrew the church’s recognition of his reverend status.

Ng’ang’a challenges the officials’ authority to revoke his ordination and notes that administrators subsequently removed him from official staff communication channels.

Internal Appeal and Legal Demands

Ng’ang’a lodged an internal appeal on June 27 but questions the neutrality of the review committee, asserting that the same officials behind his initial termination appointed its members. The church dismissed his appeal on July 17.

Represented by Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, Ng’ang’a argues that the church’s actions violated his rights to fair labor practices, human dignity, and fair administrative action.

His suit requests:

  • Ksh.14,833,764 (12 months’ salary) as compensation for unfair termination.

  • Ksh.6,207,039.60 for accrued annual leave.

  • Additional damages for constitutional rights violations, interest, and legal costs.

In an accompanying application, the bishop is urging the court to suspend his dismissal, secure his access to church premises and ministerial duties, and block Rev. Richard Maulo Munala from acting as bishop pending the final determination of the suit.