A bishop who is challenging his church's right to replace him in court has been excommunicated.
The Central Board of African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa resolved at the weekend to excommunicate 73-year-old Bishop Timothy Gakubia of Naivasha to end wrangling in the church.
The AIPCA Secretary General Amos Kabuthu said Bishop Gakubia had been expelled from the church for failing to retire at 70 and allegedly tarnishing the name of the head of the church, Archbishop Samson Gaitho.
Bishop Kabuthu told journalists at the AIPCA's Bahati headquarters in Nairobi that Bishop Gakubia had overshot his mandatory retirement by three years.
He claimed the bishop had teamed up with another church leader to form a splinter group in the diocese. He added that Archbishop Gaitho was the sole registered trustee of the church's property, which includes land, buildings and securities.
He told Bishop Gakubia to abide by the church's constitution and retire honourably.
Meanwhile, an order barring Archbishop Gaitho from interfering with the affairs of the diocese has been lifted.
Naivasha Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Muya cancelled his earlier directive on Friday, pending a hearing with all parties represented.
Mr Muya ordered police to maintain law and order in the church. The magistrate had two days earlier directed Archbishop Gaitho to refrain from interfering with the diocese and harassing Bishop Gakubia.
Bishop Gakubia had sought a court order to prevent Bishop George Ngigi from replacing him. He is demanding payment of his benefits before he retires.
Bishop Gachubia, who was away during the wrangle, was later quoted as saying he would disregard Archbishop Gaitho's directive to retire.