'Yesu wa Tongaren' tasked with praying for Wetang'ula to be President

By Peter Ochieng

Eliud Wekesa alias 'Jesus of Tongaren' has a new task on his hands.

The controversial preacher was on Tuesday set free by a Bungoma court, after the prosecution lacked evidence to implicate him in money laundering and indoctrination among other charges.

He was grilled before being detained last week.

Addressing the press after being set free, the New Jerusalem Church leader said he will continue preaching the gospel.

He asked journalists to assist him buy a gas cooker and a mobile phone for her daughter, a student at one of the vocational training institutes in Bungoma.

He was represented in court by various lawyers, among them 2022 presidential candidate, George Wajackoyah.

Tongaren Member of Parliament (MP) John Chikati applauded the court for setting Wekesa free.

He said among Wekesa's tasks is to pray for Moses Wetang'ula to become the President in 2032.

"We thank the court for listening to us and freeing Eliud Wekesa, popularly known as "Yesu wa Tongaren," said the first term MP.

"Police have done their investigations and found that he has no case to answer. His main task now is praying for Papa wa Roma to be President in 2032."

Wetang'ula, the National Assembly Speaker and Ford Kenya party leader is known as 'Papa wa Roma' in political circles.

He is yet to declare his bid for the 2032 presidential contest.

Wetang'ula joined forces with ANC's Musalia Mudavadi and UDA's William Ruto to form the Kenya Kwanza alliance ahead of the August, 2022 polls. Ruto beat Azimio leader Raila Odinga in the presidential race.

He is expected to defend his seat in 2027, before retiring in 2032.