Pius Muiru’s Empire at Risk: KSh216M Loan Dispute Pushes Televangelist Toward Property Auction

Popular televangelist Pius Muiru is facing renewed pressure in a long-running financial dispute that could end with the auctioning of his prime Nairobi properties. The case stems from a KSh216 million loan taken in 2010 and secured using high-value real estate.

The loan was backed by land and rental buildings in Nairobi, which were reportedly valued at about KSh960 million at the time. The agreement carried a 14.5% interest rate on a reducing balance and included penalties for any default. Repayment was structured over several years.

Court documents show that Muiru and his wife have already paid more than KSh350 million. Despite this, a major disagreement remains over what is still owed. Muiru argues that the bank has overcharged him significantly. He claims the correct outstanding balance should be about KSh27.9 million after an independent review of the loan.

His side insists that calculations show an excess charge of over KSh122 million. They say the loan figures used by the bank do not reflect the actual repayment history.

The lender, however, strongly disagrees. It maintains that the loan fell into default between 2011 and 2016. According to the bank, this triggered interest accumulation and penalties as agreed in the contract. It insists all charges are lawful and properly applied.

The bank has also dismissed attempts to block the auction process. It argues that the application is premature and that recovery procedures are still ongoing under the law. It maintains that it is acting within its legal rights.

Muiru has linked his financial difficulties to a drop in church income, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. He says his ministry, once financially strong, has struggled to recover. This has affected his ability to fully service the loan.

“This has been a very difficult journey,” he said in court filings, as he seeks to protect properties jointly owned with his wife.

The case now highlights deeper questions around religious institutions, high-value lending, and loan recovery disputes in Kenya. A final decision will determine whether the properties are auctioned or the dispute continues in court.