Yesu Wa Tongaren Released; Here's Why

The prosecution thus asked Principal Magistrate Tom Olando to release him and close the case.

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May 16, 2023 - 08:25 Updated: May 16, 2023 - 08:48
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Yesu Wa Tongaren Released; Here's Why
Yesu wa Tongaren at a Bungoma court on May 11, 2023. /FILE

Eliud Wekesa, popularly known as Yesu wa Tongaren, has been set free.

Bungoma Principal Magistrate Tom Olando, on Tuesday, May 16 ordered the self-proclaimed Messiah to be released from police custody.

The prosecution stated that findings by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) did not offer any grounds to implicate him.

The prosecution thus asked Principal Magistrate Tom Olando to release him and close the case.

George Wajackoyah representing Yesu wa Tongaren in court on May 16, 2023. /TWITTER

The New Jerusalem Church leader appeared before the Bungoma Law Courts and was represented by Lawyer and former Presidential candidate, George Wajackoyah.

An officer from the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) told the court during the hearing that the State decided to close Yesu wa Tongaren's file.

The developments come days after the Atheists In Kenya Society (AIKS) urged the government to release Yesu wa Tongaren even after he was detained for up to five days pending a mental assessment test.

AIKS president Harrison Mumia further dared that the police should produce the real Jesus Christ to prove Wekesa's innocence, claiming that the Jesus Christ represented in the Bible is a work of fiction and that Wekesa was not the leader of any cult movement.

"We demand for the immediate release of Jesus of Tongeren. The police must produce the real Jesus if their claim is that this man is not the real Jesus Christ, Son of Yahweh!

"Our position is that Biblical "Jesus" is a fictional character, a construct created by the religions of Christendom. He never existed. Jesus of Tongeren exists, and as far as we are concerned, does not lead a cult," Mumia stated.

The self-proclaimed Messiah was under investigation for alleged offences against him including cult activities.

He was accused of running a religious cult in Tongaren, purporting to be Jesus Christ, teaching radical ideologies to his followers, some of whom are minors, as well as practising and promoting money laundering.

The preacher had expressed dissatisfaction with his arrest and arraignment while noting that he fully cooperated with the investigators.

"Tulienda na maafisa wa polisi kwa boma wafanye uchunguzi, na bahati nzuri ilikuwa siku ya Jumamosi ambaye huwa ni siku ya Sabato. Polisi walihesabu sadaka wakapata ni shillingi 225 na nyanya kidogo na vitunguu," Yesu wa Tongaren stated. 

(We went with police officers to my home so that they carry out investigations, luckily it was on a Saturday which happens to be the Sabbath Day. The police counted the offerings and found Ksh225 and small tomatoes as well as onions)

The Directorate of Public Prosecution had claimed that Yesu wa Tongaren's New Jerusalem Church was not duly registered as per the Law.

At Bungoma Law Courts, the preacher had a change of heart with regard to hiring a lawyer to defend his case, having previously been tight-lipped on whether or not he would hire a lawyer to defend him against legal attacks owing to his religious beliefs.

He brought in Lawyer Simiyu Wamalwa, who told the court that the Preacher had been operating the shrine for more than 12 years, claiming that “The DCI is using the Shakahola incident to infringe on the rights of Wekesa, let them allow him to enjoy his freedom of worship as provided in the Constitution."

Yesu wa Tongaren at a Bungoma court on May 11, 2023. /TWITTER.CITIZEN DIGITAL

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