A man from Kisii has been arrested and charged after allegedly posing as a Catholic priest and performing religious duties in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, including celebrating Mass and administering sacraments.
The suspect, identified as Jones Bogonko Onchonga, was arraigned at the Lodwar Law Courts after the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar disowned him and declared that he was not an ordained priest. The case has since moved to court, where Onchonga has denied the charge.
According to the Diocese, Onchonga presented himself as Rev. Fr. Jones Bogonko Onchonga, M.C., claiming to be a priest of the Missionaries of Charity. Church authorities later established that he was a layman living in Kisii, married and a father of two children.
The Diocese of Lodwar issued a public notice dated August 16, 2026, signed by Bishop John Mbinda, C.S.Sp., and the diocesan chancellor, Fr Joseph Ebenyo, warning priests and the faithful that Onchonga was not a Catholic priest.
The Diocese accused him of allegedly pretending to administer sacraments, conducting unauthorised religious celebrations, usurping ecclesiastical office and falsifying Church documents.
It is reported that Onchonga arrived in Lodwar in 2025 carrying documents identifying him as a priest of the Missionaries of Charity. Police investigations reportedly established that he had never attended a Catholic seminary and had received no formal training in philosophy or theology.
Instead, investigators reportedly found that he had taught himself Catholic liturgy and procedures for conducting religious services by studying books. Police are said to have recovered 17 books on Church doctrine from him, covering areas including Church history, worship and the administration of sacraments.
According to local reports, Onchonga managed to integrate himself into activities within the Diocese before questions about his identity were raised.
He reportedly appeared alongside Bishop Mbinda and other priests during a Mass at St Augustine Cathedral in Lodwar on August 5, held ahead of the launch of the Legion of Mary in the Diocese.
Suspicion was later raised on August 9, when he allegedly celebrated Mass at St Mary’s Shrine in Lodaraja, near River Kawalase.
Reports indicate that worshippers noticed irregularities in the manner in which he conducted the liturgy. He allegedly appeared tense and at one point left the altar during the service.
A photograph taken during the Mass was subsequently circulated in a WhatsApp group involving priests and the bishop, prompting questions about his identity and qualifications. Further inquiries allegedly revealed discrepancies in the documents he had presented as proof of his priestly credentials.
He is also reported to have conducted religious services at St Thomas Chapel in Kalokol and other locations within the Diocese.
Onchonga first appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Evanson Ngigi at the Lodwar Law Courts on August 14, 2026, where he initially pleaded guilty to a charge of personation under Section 382 of the Penal Code.
He was brought back to court on August 17, before Resident Magistrate Michael Lokitam, where he changed his plea to not guilty. The prosecution did not oppose the change of plea.
The charge relates to allegations that between July 31 and August 12, 2026, in Turkana Central Sub-County, Onchonga falsely represented himself to Bishop Mbinda and the leadership of the Diocese as a duly ordained Catholic priest authorised to conduct Church meetings and administer sacraments.
The court granted him a KSh100,000 bond with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh50,000. Reports indicate that he remained at Lodwar G.K. Prison pending fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case is scheduled for mention on August 31, 2026, while the hearing has been set for October 13, 2026.
