Lawyer George Wajackoyah is among a team of lawyers representing self-proclaimed preacher Eliud Wekesa Simiyu, popularly known as Yesu wa Tongaren, who is accused of running a religious cult in Western Kenya.
The leader of New Jerusalem Church in Bungoma County was presented at the Bungoma Law Courts on Tuesday, May 16 after spending four days in police custody.
Simiyu told journalists that Wajackoyah, a lawyer-cum politician, was among leaders from the Western region who have pledged to support him.
“I have spoken to Eugene Wamalwa (former Defence Cabinet Secretary) and other government representatives, but I want to thank George Wajackoyah for doing God’s work,” he said.
He had earlier indicated that his lawyers would be the moon and sun.
“Hapa ntasema hivi, huenda wakili wangu atakua jua na mwezi maana sina dhambi yoyote ya makosa kwa ajili ya mwanadamu. Na nikisema jua ntaawachia kitendawili hicho mutatatua,” he said while insisting that he was innocent.
A Bungoma court on Friday allowed police to detain Simiyu for four more days pending the conclusion of investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The police had requested for seven days to comb through Simiyu’s home which the court heard is believed to be a crime scene, his church and also have the preacher mentally assessed.
The preacher is also accused of teaching radical ideologies to his followers, some of whom are minors, as well as practising and promoting money laundering.
Earlier, the Atheists in Kenya Society called for the immediate release of the preacher, saying he is innocent.
In a statement on Friday, the society’s President Harrison Mumia, challenged the police to produce the real Jesus if their claim is that Simiyu is not the real Jesus Christ, son of God.
“We demand for the immediate release of Jesus of Tongeren. The police must produce the real Jesus if their claim is that this marl is not the real Jesus Christ, Son of Yahweh!” Mumia stated.
Mumia argued that the Jesus mentioned in the Bible is a fictional character and as far as the society is concerned Yesu wa Tongaren was not involved in cult activities in his teachings.
“Our position is that Biblical ‘Jesus’ is a fictional character, a construct created by the religions of Christendom. He never existed. Jesus of Tongeren exists. and as far as we are concerned, does not lead a cult,” he added.
