Court allows police to detain Yesu wa Tongaren for 4 days

Eliud Wekesa alias ‘Yesu wa Tongaren’ will remain in detention for four days when the court will make a ruling.

Bungoma Law Court Principal Magistrate Tom Olando ordered the police to detain him until the investigation is complete.

Elijah Macharia, Bungoma DCIO had pleaded with the court to detain Wekesa for ten days to pave the way for investigations.

Accusations leveled against ‘Yesu wa Tongaren’ include alleged radicalisation, running an unlawful society and money laundering among others.

His lawyer Simiyu Wamalwa told the court that ‘Yesu wa Tongaren’ is a known individual in the entire Western region and he has been operating the shrine for more than 12 years.

“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,” Wamalwa told the court.

“When I check on the charge sheet I can see allegations that the suspect is in danger, it is not true, the man is loved by many people, you can see the court is full to the brim because of him.”

DCIO Macharia asked the court to allow the accused to undergo a medical analysis, a request that Wamalwa objected to, saying Wekesa is fit and able to express himself.