Police in Kenya have arrested Jones Bogonko Onchonga, a married father of two, for allegedly posing as a Catholic priest and conducting Masses in several churches in Turkana County. Onchonga is accused of using forged Church documents to present himself as a priest in the Diocese of Lodwar.
Alleged Impersonation Across Multiple Churches
According to reports, Onchonga reportedly celebrated Mass and administered sacraments at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalokol, St. Thomas Chapel, and St. Mary’s Lodaraja. The Diocese of Lodwar, in an official notice issued through Bishop Rt. Rev. John Mbinda, C.S.Sp., disowned Onchonga as a Catholic priest, accusing him of administering sacraments and performing priestly duties without authorization.
The notice warned the public against engaging him in any priestly duties. In a surprising twist, Onchonga was reportedly seen celebrating Mass alongside Bishop John Mbinda, the Catholic Bishop of Lodwar, before his identity was exposed.
How Did He Evade Detection?
The revelation has left some faithful questioning how a married man with two children managed to move between parishes and perform religious duties for so long without being detected. Police are investigating how Onchonga obtained the alleged forged documents and how he managed to gain access to different churches in the diocese.
The arrest has raised concerns about the verification processes for clergy credentials within the diocese. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter, with the suspect in custody.
