Married Man With Two Children Arrested For Posing as Catholic Priest

Married Man With Two Children Arrested For Posing as Catholic Priest.

A married man with two kids, identified as Jones Bogonko Onchonga, has been arrested in Kenya for posing as a Catholic priest and conducting religious activities across several parishes in Turkana County.

Onchonga reportedly gained access to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar after presenting forged church documents to support his claim of being an ordained priest. He celebrated Mass and participated in other religious activities at worship centres including St Augustine Cathedral in Kalokol, St Thomas Chapel and St Mary’s Lodaraja.

His activities came to light after photographs surfaced showing him celebrating Mass alongside the Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. John Mbinda, C.S.Sp.

Following the discovery, the Diocese issued a statement clarifying that Onchonga is not a priest and holds no official position or authority within the Catholic Church. The Diocese also warned members of the public not to allow him to perform priestly duties or administer religious rites.

Onchonga has been charged with identity theft under Article 382 of Kenya’s Penal Code, an offence punishable by up to three years in prison upon conviction.

He initially pleaded guilty when he appeared in court on August 14 but later changed his plea to not guilty on August 17.

According to the charge sheet, he presented himself as an authorised Catholic priest between July 31 and August 12 in Turkana Central Sub-County.

He remains in custody after failing to meet his bail conditions, which include a KSh100,000 bond with a surety or KSh50,000 cash bail.