Member of 'prophet' Owuor church sues deputy bishop over WhatsApp posts
Simon Aluchio, a long-time member of the church, filed a defamation suit against deputy bishop Jackson Barno at the Eldoret Law Court over what he termed as "character assassination" in a WhatsApp group.
What you need to know:
- The man, a bachelor, claims the posts have scuttled his hopes of finding a wife within the church.
- He alleges that the WhatsApp posts depicted him as an immoral and evil person who has been suspended from the church.
Trouble is brewing at 'prophet' David Owuor's Ministry of Repentance and Holiness church after an aggrieved youth leader sued a deputy bishop over posts made in their WhatsApp group.
Simon Aluchio, a long-time member of the church, filed a defamation suit against deputy bishop Jackson Barno at the Eldoret Law Courts over what he termed as "character assassination" and mischievous damage.
Mr Barno is alleged to have defamed his fellow church member in their WhatsApp group named overseers UG main altar.
Mr Aluchio, who is a bachelor, claims the posts depicted him as an immoral and evil person who has been suspended from the church. He avers that prior to the WhatsApp incident, he had hopes of finding a wife within the church but that the bishop’s posts will likely scare away potential lovers.
In court papers, he argues that the actions of Mr Barno have diminished any chances of getting a spouse of his choice from the church where he has been worshipping for over two decades.
"The publications posted in our 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," argued Mr Aluchio.
Some of the posts made by Mr Barno lashed out at Mr Aluchio for alleged dishonesty and "insubordination to God's established leadership".
On his part, Mr Barno admits that Mr Aluchio is a member of his church where he shepherds as a bishop. He told the court that his posts were meant for the good of the complainant, insisting that he acted with the aim of disciplining Mr Aluchio.
The bishop told the court that the church has a code of conduct which all members must adhere to, adding that it beats logic that Mr Aluchio would seek avenues outside the church to address the matter.
Through his lawyer Charles Nyamweya, the cleric advised Mr Aluchio to submit himself to the church's disciplinary mechanism.
"I advise you to submit to the church's disciplinary mechanism and having exhausted the same, then you can move to court...otherwise the threats in your letter are hot air, pedestrian and infantile to say the least," added Mr Barno.
Mr Aluchio is represented by Mr Awuor Otieno from DM and Associates Advocates while the Bishop is represented by lawyer Charles Nyamweya.
The matter will be mentioned on January 14, 2025.
