“Yesu Wa Tongaren’’ surrenders to the DCI for interrogation

Bungoma, Thursday, May 11, 2023

KNA by Bronley Kidari/ Roseland Lumwamu

Eliud Wekesa alias ‘Yesu Wa Tongaren’ on Wednesday honored police summons and reported to the police headquarters for interrogations in relation to his religious activities.      

Speaking to the press at the county police headquarters, Wekesa maintained that his name was ‘Yesu wa Tongaren’ insisting that people should refer to him as such.

Wekesa further noted that his church has been operating smoothly and has never had issues with the authorities.

On May 5, President William Ruto appointed a task force to review the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organizations.

Explaining the decision to form the task force, the president indicated that the Shakahola mass deaths had opened a lid on the need to regulate religious institutions. 

Wekesa condemned the Shakahola incident saying that’s what has made people question his ministry adding the incident was against the Ten Commandments.

“If the people were fasting at the Shakahola forest to see Jesus, then they should have been brought to me because I am Jesus,” he said.

Wekesa started his church when he was 30years. “My church has been in existence for 12 years now, I started it when I was 30 years old and now I am 42 years,” he added.

He was accompanied by his inner circle of followers who believed that their alleged Yesu wa Tongaren was innocent and he was here to serve the ministry and save people from sin.

Wekesa was further asked if he had a team of lawyers to represent him in case he was arraigned in court he said he would be represented by the sun and the moon.

“I do not need to have lawyers because I will be represented by the moon and the sun,” he said.   

Wekesa went in for interrogation for hours and when he came out, he maintained that what he was doing was a calling from God. He even went on to criticize journalists saying, "I was told that journalists are rich but when they come to my home they cannot even buy me soda.”

Bungoma County Police Commander Francis Kooli told the media that they had summoned Wekesa for investigation to see if his ministry was in compliance with the law.

He further said that they were ready to let Wekesa explain himself in order to exercise the freedom of expression.

When he was asked if the followers of Yesu wa Tongaren would be allowed in the interrogation chambers, he had the following to say, “We only summoned ‘Yesu Wa Tongaren’ for questioning and so his followers will have to wait for him outside.”

Kooli went on to say that they go by reports reaching the police desk and thus they have to carry out investigations first since it was a matter that involves the nation at large.

“We will question him and if any law was broken, they will advise him according to the law but for now we cannot say any law was broken we are first carrying out investigations,” the County Commander of Police said.

He said interrogations were ongoing and confirmed that Wekesa would be back for questioning Thursday.

Courtesy; K.N.A