On Tuesday, May 16, Bungoma Principal Magistrate Tom Olando ordered the release of self-proclaimed Messiah, Yesu wa Tongaren, from police custody.
This came after the prosecution declared that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) findings provided no grounds to charge the self-proclaimed messiah, whose true name is Eliud Wekesa.
As a result, the prosecution requested that Principal Magistrate Tom Olando release him and dismiss the case.
Prof. George Wajackoyah, a 2022 presidential candidate, represented the New Jerusalem Church leader before the Bungoma Law Courts.
During the hearing, an officer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) notified the Court that the State had decided to close Yesu wa Tongaren’s case.
Yesu wa Tongaren briefly expressed his displeasure with his detention and arraignment, stating that he cooperated fully with the investigators.
He further said that he took DCI officials to his residence to explore 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.
His sentiments can be loosely translated as, “I accompanied the police to my home to aid them in the investigations. Fortunately, it was a Saturday – the Sabbath. They counted Ksh225 offering, cherry tomatoes and onions.”
On Friday, May 12, the prosecution, while appearing before Bungoma Principal Magistrate, stated that Yesu wa Tongaren was being investigated for suspected cultic activities.
The controversial preacher was also facing investigations into possible activities relating to radicalisation, money laundering, and acquiring proceeds of crime.
Investigators also explored possible links to teaching radical ideologies to his followers, some of whom were minors.
Yesu wa Tongaren was first arrested on May 10, 2023, and he had been in police custody since then.
