Self-proclaimed preacher Eliud Wekesa Simiyu, popularly known as Yesu wa Tongaren, is a free man after the prosecution failed to charge him regarding allegations of running a religious cult in Western Kenya.
The leader of New Jerusalem Church in Bungoma County, who purports to be Jesus Christ, the son of God, was presented at the Bungoma Law Courts on Tuesday, May 16 after spending five days in police custody.
However, the prosecution told the court that they had no evidence against the 42-year-old cleric.
Lawyer-cum politician George Wajackoyah was the lead counsel in the defence team.
The court had 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 was facing allegations of teaching radical ideologies to his followers 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.
