Kenya: Bishop charged to court for scamming congregation

A Kenyan bishop is entangled in KES5.6m theft, which he allegedly obtained from two worshipers at his church.



The two female victims were alleged to have sent to him KES4m via M-Pesa, a mobile phone-based money transfer service. The also handed him another KES1.6m in cash between January and March.

According to The Star, the bishop, from the United Hope World Reach Church, had promised the women that he would drive away their demons.

The pastor now faced charges of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Kenyans have over the years been targets of financial exploitation by rogue pastors, who solicited money in exchange for prayers via radio and TV, until the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) banned them.

The country's attorney general also came up with a regulatory framework to protect Kenyans from preachers who exploited them commercially.