Deputy President William Ruto has mourned the passing of High Priest Shem Shamalla of the African Church of the Holy Spirit whom he recently gifted a vehicle.

The High Priest passed away on Wednesday, aged 82.

According to his family, Shamalla had developed chest pains, headaches and coughs.

Ruto mourned Shamalla as a faith leader with steadfast religious credence.

PHOTO/COURTESY

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He took to his Twitter handle to share his message of condolence for the death of the High Priest.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of High Priest Shem Shamalla of the African Church of the Holy Spirit - Kakamega. He was a faith leader with steadfast religious credence. His sermons were always powerful, enriching and educative,” he Tweeted.

“Our prayers to the Shamalla family, the church and the people of Malava during this painful time of mourning. Rest In Peace my friend,” he continued.

Shamalla became the head of The African Church of the Holy Spirit in 2014 and was in charge of the church in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. 

According to the church’s Secretary-General Samson Khalwale, Shamalla was set to establish a church bishop in Nairobi on Sunday.

PHOTO/COURTESY

"This death has come at a wrong time because the High Priest was set to install a church bishop in Nairobi next Sunday," said Mr Khalwale.

When the DP Kakamega County in September, he joined faithful for a church service at African Church of the Holy Spirit Tumbeni, Malava, after which he gifted the clergyman a black Suzuki SUV.

Shem Shamalla and William Ruto. PHOTO/COURTESY

Shamalla will be laid to rest on Saturday at Tumbeni Village, Chemuche ward in Malava Sub-county.