Piece by: SAMUEL MAINA

17 May 2023

Mr Simiyu admitted that he is struggling financially and therefore asked good people to help him pay for his children's education.

Mr Simiyu was released on Tuesday morning after the Bungoma court found that he had no case to answer.

The controversial Bungoma pastor Eliud Simiyu aka Jesus of Tongaren has expressed his sincere gratitude to the well-meaning Kenyans who have continued to donate to him after hearing his plea for help.

Tuesday, after being acquitted by the Bungoma court, Simiyu admitted that he was struggling financially and therefore asked good people to help him pay for his children's education.

The pastor also excited the journalists after asking them to help him buy a gas stove and a telephone.

"Then I am asking Kenyans, don't see Jesus of Tongaren trending so much that you think he has wealth?

I am not a YouTube Content Creator, I mean it for God's work. Thank you," Simiyu told reporters.

It is clear that Kenyans heard the pastor's cry because he later confirmed that he had started receiving donations.

In a live session on Tiktok, Simiyu thanked those who have sent help and declared blessings on them.

"The phone number is 0794 749 216. If you have sent it, thank you for your help, it will bring up the name Totsi Simiyu.

"That is Jesus of Tongaren's number. Thank you for your support for my children at school. Even those keep sending me 50, 100, 1000.

"I'm happy God bless them," Jesus of Tongaren said on Tiktok on Tuesday. Simiyu was released on Tuesday morning after the Bungoma court found that he had no case to answer.

This is after the government said there was not enough evidence to prosecute him. He had been accused of illegally operating an unregistered society, extremism, and financial fraud but on Tuesday the prosecution said it had no evidence.

The leader of the Roots Party, George Wajackoyah represented Jesus of Tongaren in court.

Simiyu had been detained by the police for the past four days where he underwent a mental examination, after being declared mentally challenged.

"The court has agreed and given permission to the prosecution to detain the suspect for four more days to allow them to complete the investigation and conduct a mental evaluation," Olando said.