Friday, August 28, 2026 - Jones Bogonko Onchonga was arrested after deceiving officials of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar into believing that he was a legitimately appointed priest.
On August 5, Onchonga stood alongside Bishop John Mbinda as
one of the concelebrating priests during a Mass held at St. Augustine Cathedral
to mark the launch of the Legion of Mary.
After the Mass, Bishop Mbinda left for Nairobi, and Onchonga
went on to preside over another service.
Suspicion began to grow on August 9 when parishioners at St.
Mary's Shrine in Lodaraja, near the Kawalase River, noticed that something was
off.
Dressed in green priestly vestments, Onchonga told
worshippers that he was related to Bishop Mbinda.
However, those present observed that he appeared confused
while conducting the Mass.
Investigations revealed that he was neither an ordained
Catholic priest nor celibate, but a married man with two children in Kisii.
The bishop quickly alerted congregants to the alleged
deception.
The diocese further accused Onchonga of violating multiple Catholic
Church regulations, citing his unauthorised administration of sacraments,
conducting of services and illicit use of church documents.
Onchonga was brought before Chief Magistrate Evanson Ngigi
in Lodwar on August 14, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of impersonation
contrary to Section 382 of the Penal Code.
He subsequently changed his plea on August 17 before
Magistrate Michael Lokitam.
He remains in custody at GK Lodwar Prison after failing to
meet bail conditions set at KSh100,000 with a surety of equal value, or
alternatively a cash bail of KSh50,000.
A video has now emerged showing the fake priest conducting a
Mass.
Netizens have since noted what they describe as several red
flags that should have raised suspicion.
Watch the video below.

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