29/08/2026
A married Kenyan man accused of posing as a Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Lodwar has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody after failing to meet bail conditions.
The Diocese of Lodwar issued a warning on August 16, saying that the suspect was not a Catholic Priest, despite presenting himself as “Fr Jones Bogonko Onchonga, M.C.”
The diocese said he allegedly pretended to administer sacraments, conducted unauthorized celebrations, usurped ecclesiastical office and falsified Church documents.
The suspect reportedly managed to gain access to several Catholic communities in Lodwar, Turkana County, and participate in liturgical celebrations.
He allegedly presented documents identifying him as a member of the Missionaries of Charity (M.C.). The diocese later disowned him and warned clergy and Catholics against allowing him to perform priestly duties.
The man's alleged deception began to unravel on August 9, when he celebrated Mass at St Mary's Shrine, Lodaraja.
Reports indicate parishioners and clergy became suspicious after he struggled with parts of the liturgy.
A photograph from the celebration was subsequently circulated among priests, prompting verification of his credentials.
Reports further indicate that Onchonga is a layman from Kisii who is married and has two children.
After being questioned by police, he reportedly admitted to impersonating a priest for almost two years.
He allegedly arrived in Lodwar in 2025 carrying documents identifying him as a Missionaries of Charity priest. Police reportedly found 17 books on Catholic doctrine in his possession.
According to reports, he had never attended a Catholic seminary or received formal formation in philosophy and theology.
Instead, he allegedly studied Church doctrine, liturgy, Church history and the administration of sacraments from books.
Kenya’s Standard newspaper reported that Onchonga spent about three weeks in Lodwar dressed as a Catholic priest, interacted with clergy and presented himself as a member of the Missionaries of Charity.
The newspaper reported that he was even accommodated at the Bishop's official residence.
Other Kenyan reports say he appeared at several Catholic locations, including St Augustine Cathedral in Lodwar, Kalokol, St Thomas Chapel and St Mary's Lodaraja. One report says he was seen celebrating Mass alongside Bishop John Mbinda of Lodwar.
Onchonga is facing an identity-theft charge under Article 382 of Kenya's Penal Code, which could carry a prison sentence of up to three years if he is convicted.
The man initially pleaded guilty to impersonation before Chief Magistrate Evanson Ngigi when he was arraigned in court on August 14 but subsequently changed his plea to not guilty before Magistrate Michael Lokitam on August 17.
The charge alleges that between July 31 and August 12, in Turkana Central Sub-County, Onchonga falsely represented himself to Bishop Mbinda and the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar as a duly ordained Catholic Priest, authorized to conduct Church meetings and administer the sacraments.
He remains in remand after failing to meet bail conditions of a KSh100,000 ($773.10 ) bond with a surety or KSh 50,000 ($386.25 ) cash bail.
More: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/23829/kenyan-married-man-who-posed-as-catholic-priest-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-remains-on-remand
