ABC Expulsions: Archbishop Seals Fate of his Wife’s Critics

Accountability and Transparency Trashed As Church Moves to Silence Six Truth Seekers

By Anchor Writers

A leadership and accountability crisis at the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) has escalated after Archbishop Timothy N. Ndambuki ratified the expulsion of six members of the Makadara congregation where his wife is Bishop.

The expulsions trigger a fresh confrontation over alleged financial opacity, conflict of interest and the handling of complaints against his spouse, Dr Mary Nzioki.
The expulsions, confirmed in a pastoral letter to all ABC churches dated October 26, 2026, have brought into sharp focus questions about the exercise of authority within the denomination, particularly the Archbishop’s role in handling grievances involving Dr Nzioki, a senior church leader who is also his wife.
The expelled members are now challenging both the disciplinary process and the church’s handling of the issues that initially triggered the dispute.

Their grievances touch on the management of church resources, a reported KSh10 million presidential donation, the administration of church properties and what they describe as a failure to subject senior leadership to independent scrutiny.
In his October 26 letter, issued from the ABC headquarters in Machakos, Archbishop Ndambuki confirmed that the church’s Governing Council had adopted findings of a Pastoral Care Committee following a hearing held on October 22, 2026.

Archbishop Ndambuki sat through the meeting, along with his wife and admitted to the media that he was conflicted in the matter, but nevertheless, he let members of the Council he chairs deliberate over the matter.

The Governing Council also stripped any other church organ of hearing appeals from the six, and reserved to itself such authority.

The Pastoral Care Committee did not address any of the grievances against Dr Nzioki but ended it’s determination by defending her and stating that she would not be transferred from Nairobi.
In the pastoral letter, the Archbishop accused the affected members of serious constitutional non-compliance, digital sabotage, civil disturbance and political infiltration.
According to the pastoral directive, a routine pastoral transfer had been turned into an organised campaign against local church leadership, allegedly involving online agitation, unauthorised street protests and political interference.

The transfer refers to the removal of the Nairobi Treasurer and his replacement for questioning use of fincances in the see.
The Governing Council consequently ratified the expulsion of six members: Stanley Peter Makau, Jane Muthama, Sylvester Muthama Kiilu, Brian Kimeu, Sylvester Kalulu Mulwa and Peninnah M. Mbithi.
The disciplinary action also revoked their respective church positions, titles and leadership responsibilities.
The sanctions are sweeping. The six are barred from participating in sacraments and fellowship activities and from accessing ABC-owned properties.

Local pastorates have also been restricted from hearing appeals or facilitating their spiritual restoration without direct intervention from the Governing Council.

The directive effectively places the fate of the expelled members in the hands of the same central church leadership whose conduct they have questioned.

At the heart of the counter-allegations is the relationship between Archbishop Ndambuki and Dr Mary Nzioki, his spouse, whose leadership and administration reportedly formed part of the original grievances raised by the aggrieved members.

The expelled members question how the Archbishop could preside over, or exercise decisive influence in, a process examining complaints involving his wife while simultaneously exercising authority over the disciplinary action taken against her critics.

They argue that the marital relationship creates an inherent conflict of interest that should have required the Archbishop to recuse himself from the proceedings and allow an independent mechanism to investigate the complaints.

They object not only to the outcome of the process but also to its credibility.
They contend that the Archbishop’s intervention has effectively placed him in the position of defending his spouse while the members who raised questions about her leadership face expulsion.

The members further allege that they were not afforded a fair hearing and that the original complaints concerning Dr Nzioki’s conduct were displaced by disciplinary proceedings against those who raised them.

These allegations raise fundamental questions about natural justice, impartiality and the independence of internal accountability mechanisms within the church.

The confrontation has also opened a potentially significant debate about the management of church finances, particularly money raised for a transport project that has yet to materialise.

The expelled members question the whereabouts of funds contributed by women in the church towards purchasing a bus, alongside money raised through subsequent fundraising activities.

The initiative also attracted a reported KSh10 million donation from President William Ruto.
However, according to the aggrieved members, the proposed bus has not materialised, and the church leadership has not adequately explained the total amount collected, how the funds were handled or when the bus is to be bought.
Church members who contributed towards the project are equally entitled to know how their money was utilised.
The expelled members have extended their concerns to the management of ABC-owned properties, alleging a lack of transparency in their administration, leasing and commercial utilisation.

They want clarity on the properties held by the denomination, the arrangements under which they are managed, the revenue they generate and how the proceeds are applied.
A governance crisis beyond Makadara
What began as resistance to an administrative transfer at ABC Makadara has developed into a wider dispute over the governance of the denomination.
While the pastoral letter underlines the church leadership’s position and the disciplinary action taken against the six members, it does not, in itself, resolve the substantive questions raised by those expelled.
Indeed, the church must enforce its constitution and disciplinary regulations. Equally, members have a legitimate interest in questioning the management of institutional resources and seeking explanations from those entrusted with leadership.The two accountabilities cannot be applied selectively.
Allegations of financial impropriety require documentary examination, while complaints involving senior office-bearers demand impartial investigations free from actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
The Governing Council now faces the challenge of demonstrating that its governance structures can accommodate scrutiny and resolve internal disputes through credible and transparent processes.
There is also a need to address the allegations concerning the Archbishop’s involvement in proceedings touching on his spouse, Dr Nzioki, and the fairness of the disciplinary process that culminated in the expulsions.
The Anchor recognises that the allegations made by the expelled members remain contested and that the Archbishop, Dr Nzioki and the ABC Governing Council are entitled to respond. Calls made to the Archbishop were not answered.
However, the questions raised go beyond the six individuals and their disciplinary fate.

They concern the governance of church resources, the accountability of senior officials and the rights of members within an institution governed by its own constitution.

ABC is certainly one of the biggest local churches that has steered clear of controversy especially when its leadership transited from its founders to the current ones.

ABC congregations are currently watching the unfolding management drama.

The challenge is no longer how to enforce the expulsion of six members but how to restore confidence in the institution’s governance, financial management and internal justice systems.
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