Release of Yesu wa Tongaren: No Charges Pressed, Here’s Why
Tuesday, May 16th, Bungoma Chief Magistrate Tom Olando ordered the release of self-proclaimed Messiah Yesu wa Tongaren from police custody.
This occurred after the prosecution stated that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) findings did not provide sufficient evidence to implicate the self-proclaimed messiah, whose real name is Eliud Wekesa.
Therefore, the prosecution requested that Chief Magistrate Tom Olando release the defendant and close the case.
The leader of the New Jerusalem Church appeared before the Bungoma Law Courts, where Prof. George Wajackoyah, the 2022 presidential candidate, represented him.
During the hearing, a representative of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) informed the Court that the State had decided to close the case file of Yesu wa Tongaren.
Yesu wa Tongaren expressed his displeasure with his arrest and arraignment, noting that he had cooperated fully with the investigators.
He also disclosed that he accompanied DCI agents to his residence, where they investigated his religious beliefs.
“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.
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His words can roughly be translated as follows: “I accompanied the police to my residence to assist them in their investigations. It was fortunate that it was Saturday, the Sabbath. They tallied Ksh225, cherry tomatoes, and onions.”
On Friday, May 12, the prosecution informed the chief magistrate of Bungoma that Yesu wa Tongaren was under investigation for suspected cult activities.
The controversial preacher was also under investigation for possible radicalization, money laundering, and acquisition of criminal proceeds.
Additionally, investigators explored the possibility that he taught radical ideologies to his followers, some of whom were minors.
Yesu wa Tongaren had been in police custody since his initial arrest on May 10, 2023.
Release of Yesu wa Tongaren: No Charges Pressed, Here’s Why
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