The Meru High Court has ordered the Methodist Church of Kenya to pay a bishop more than Sh2.3 million salary arrears.
The court found that Bishop Jeremiah Mokku was suspended from duty for the last 10 years illegally.
Justice J.A Makau ordered the presiding bishop of the church Rev Joseph Ntombora to pay Mokku Sh2,290,887 which he he is entitled to since the suspension has never been lifted.
The judge directed the church should pay the Mokku Sh406,579 and interest from the date of judgement which he was entitled to at the time of his suspension.
Justice Makau lifted the 10-year suspension terming it as malicious and null and void.
He said the suspension has no legal basis.
The case has been ongoing for nine years.
The judge has also ordered the church to meet the costs of the suit.
Makau said when the former bishop of the church, Rev Stephen Kanyaru, suspended Mokku on allegations of misappropriating funds, he did not follow the laid down standing orders of the church.
He said the bishop was not allowed to defend himself against the allegations and the former primate of the church took a unilateral decision on the matter.
Judge Makau said the evidence adduced by the bishop and his witnesses, the documents he produced in court and the defense made by the church proved that the Mokku’s human rights had been greatly violated.
He said the suspension was unlawful because Mukku had been exonerated by an audit carried out on him.
Judge Makau said the church should pay Mokku his salary until March this year when he was supposed to have retired.
