A self-proclaimed "prophet" in Homa Bay, identified as Joseph Otieno Chenge of Jerusalem Mowar Church, was apprehended by police officers. The arrest took place on Wednesday evening at his church located in Ruri East Sub-location, Lambwe Central Location, Mbita Sub-county. Accompanying Chenge were six pastors and five individuals who had been residing in the church for worship purposes. All the suspects, including Chenge, are currently being held at Mbita Police Station.
The arrest was made due to concerns regarding Chenge's questionable religious practices, as stated by Abed Kavoo, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer in Homa Bay.
Kavoo said their preliminary investigations revealed that the cleric was detaining sick people ‘to pray for them’ instead of allowing them to seek medication in hospitals.
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“Sick people with different diseases are detained at his church in disguise of praying for them. Some have been at the church for more than three months,” Kavoo said.
“The patients have been detained in his church but some of them are in very a deplorable state. We suspect they were being offered prayers which changed their normal thinking,” he added.
The chief investigator said they found Chenge in contravention of the law by operating a church without a registration license.
Apart from the registration license, the man of God also lacked a medical practitioner’s license which allows him to treat patients with various ailments.
“He operates a church which is not registered. He also detains patients in his church for healing purposes yet he is not a medic. This predisposes lives of patients to risks,” Kavoo said.
He said they had detained Chenge to enable them to probe them to know the truth of what takes place in his church.
“We cannot wait for repercussions of the clergyman’s actions in the church. That is why we have become proactive by apprehending them to enable us know exactly what happens in his church to avoid any regrets in future,” Kavoo said.
Last Saturday, a video clip linked to Chenge went viral on social media where he asked President Ruto to meet him within 21 days for prophecy.
He argued that God had foretold him something about Kenya which he needed to meet the president and tell him.
The preacher warned that something unfortunate may happen if they fail to meet within the stipulated time.
“Get time we sit together so I explain for you prophesy by God. We’ll pray together thereafter so as to get intervention,” Chenge said.
