'Yesu wa Tongaren' in custody, to know fate tommorrow

By Peter Ochieng

 Eliud Wekesa alias Yesu wa Tongaren (Jesus of Tongaren) will spent Thursday night in police custody, in Bungoma County.

Wekesa was grilled on Wednesday and Thursday morning, before being detained, and later arraigned at the Bungoma law courts.

He is facing various charges, among them using the name Jesus, in reference to Christ the son of God, and operating an unregistered church.

He is the leader of the New Jerusalem Church.

Magistrate Tom Olando said he will make a rulling on Friday, on whether Wekesa will be released on bail or not at this stage.

"Kazi ya Mungu haikosolewi (The work of God cannot be criticized)," he told journalists at the court.

The magistrate ordered that he undergoes a mental test, but Wekesa insists he is okay.

"I am okay but if that is the order, then let it be. I can not criticise God, I can not critisize the authorities," he said.

Police interrogated 'Jesus of Tongaren' on various issues, including whether members of his church are allowed to attend school and if they seek medical care when sick.

He said he does not advocate against school and hospital.

He accused journalists of not giving him even 'Sh1, 000 for soda' whenever they visit his shrine in Tongaren for interviews.