Mamlaka Hill Chapel founder and bishop Charles Muhia Ng’ang’a has moved to court to challenge his dismissal from the church, seeking reinstatement and more than KSh21 million in compensation and unpaid leave benefits.

Ng’ang’a has filed a petition at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, accusing four church officials of conducting an unfair disciplinary process that he says violated his right to a fair hearing.

The officials named in the case are Jonathan Njoroge, Rev. Richard Maulo Munala, James Chege and Geoffrey Kibathi Mbugua.

In his court filings, Ng’ang’a says he founded Mamlaka Hill Chapel in August 2005 and later signed an employment contract as the church’s senior pastor in January 2011. He states that his gross monthly salary rose from KSh384,314 to KSh1,236,147 during his time at the church. He was ordained bishop in November 2019.

The dispute began after his suspension on March 27, 2026, followed by his summary dismissal on June 25, 2026.

Ng’ang’a claims the four officials, acting as the church’s Elders’ Court, had no authority to suspend him or appoint Munala as acting bishop. He is also challenging their authority to revoke his ordination and withdraw his recognition as a reverend.

According to the petition, Ng’ang’a received a notice to show cause on June 11, 2026, accusing him of gross misconduct. He says he asked the officials to provide details of the allegations, the evidence against him and clarification on their authority to begin disciplinary proceedings.

He was reportedly given until June 22 to respond and was scheduled to attend a disciplinary hearing on June 23.

However, Ng’ang’a says he requested more time to prepare his defence and arrange for witnesses, including a pastor based in the United States. Although he attended the hearing, he alleges that his requests were not properly addressed.

He further claims that no complainants or witnesses were heard during the meeting and that no evidence was presented or examined in his presence. He says he received his dismissal letter two days later.

A communication circulated on June 26 to church staff, congregants and international pastors allegedly announced his removal as bishop, revoked his ordination and withdrew the church’s recognition of him as a reverend. He also claims he was removed from the church’s official staff WhatsApp groups.

Ng’ang’a appealed the decision internally on June 27. However, he questions the independence of the committee that reviewed his appeal, arguing that its members were appointed by the same officials who oversaw the initial disciplinary process. The appeal was dismissed on July 17, according to the petition.

Through his lawyers, Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, Ng’ang’a argues that the process violated his rights to fair labour practices, fair administrative action and human dignity.

He is seeking KSh14,833,764, equivalent to 12 months of his salary, as compensation for alleged unfair dismissal. He is also claiming KSh6,207,039.60 in accrued annual leave benefits.

The total of the two claims amounts to KSh21,040,803.60. In addition, he is seeking further damages over the alleged constitutional violations, interest and legal costs.

In a separate application, Ng’ang’a wants the court to suspend the implementation of his dismissal as the case proceeds.

He is also asking the court to protect his access to church premises and duties and to stop Munala from serving as bishop until the dispute is determined.