SDA church taskforce recommends disciplinary action over investment scheme findings

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The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church task force appointed by the East-Central Africa Division to investigate the use of church platforms in promoting cryptocurrency trading has recommended disciplinary action against several senior church officials.

According to the task force report, the inquiry examined matters relating to a trading platform and a wealth-sharing group.

The 13-member committee, chaired by Dr Gideon Mutero of the church’s General Conference in the United States, was established on February 25, 2026.

In its findings dated April 15, 2026, the commission stated that some pastors and denominational employees promoted a high-risk investment scheme using church platforms and leadership positions, leading to financial losses among some participants and concerns among church members.

The report further stated that church leaders at various levels did not act quickly enough to prevent the church from being associated with the investment activities.

The Commission found that both the platform, the wealth group and the leadership disputes "reflected failures in adherence to church policies and ministerial ethics."

According to the report, some individuals who appeared before the commission expressed disappointment with church leadership following losses linked to the investment scheme. The commission said the situation had affected trust and unity within sections of the church community.

The task force recommended the removal of several senior church officials from their positions and proposed further disciplinary processes in line with church procedures and due process requirements.

The report noted that one senior official had resigned before the report was finalised, while another had since moved to a different role within the church structure.

During the hearings, one official acknowledged participating in the venture as an investor and said he had suffered substantial financial losses following the collapse of the scheme.

The official denied allegations of promoting the venture. The commission also reviewed Kenya’s legal and regulatory framework and concluded that the wealth group operations were not recognised under Kenyan law.

“The schemes exhibit characteristics associated with pyramid or Ponzi-type structures, exposing participants to financial risks and losses,” the report states.

The task force further stated that individuals involved in promoting such schemes could face legal and reputational consequences under Kenyan law.

In another case reviewed by the commission, a senior church official was questioned about allegations concerning a family member’s involvement in activities linked to the promotion of the investment platform.

According to the report, the official declined to comment in detail, stating that the family member was an adult capable of speaking independently.

The commission stated that, after reviewing the material presented before it, it formed the view that there had been shortcomings in leadership responsibility regarding the matter.