Court orders 'Yesu Wa Tongaren' be detained for 4 days at Bungoma Police Station

The court made the ruling on Friday saying that the timeline will allow the DCI detectives to conclude a probe on Wekesa’s New Jerusalem Church faced with allegations of questionable religious teachings.

The prosecution had initially requested for the controversial preacher to be held for seven days to allow room for investigations into his home and personal conduct.

However, Bungoma Principal Magistrate Tom Mark Olando on Friday denied the request instead directing the prosecution to conduct the investigations within four days.

The police are expected to use the aforementioned timeline to comb through Wekesa's home which they said is believed to be a crime scene, his church and also have the preacher mentally assessed.

The case will be mentioned on May 16, 2023.

According to a supporting affidavit submitted by Investigating Officer Elijah Acharia on Thursday, ‘Yesu Wa Tongaren’ is facing charges including radicalisation, money laundering, acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of crime and managing an unlawful society.

The self-proclaimed clergyman is also accused of writing or uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings, contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.