"Man of God": Married Kisii dad exposed for allegedly posing as Catholic priest
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Jones Bogonko Onchonga allegedly used forged documents to pass himself off as a legitimately ordained Catholic priest in Lodwar
- The suspect reportedly administered holy sacraments at multiple Catholic parishes before his identity was uncovered
- The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar has publicly disowned Onchonga and warned the faithful to verify the credentials of unfamiliar clergy
A Kisii man has been arrested after allegedly deceiving multiple Catholic communities in Turkana County by presenting himself as an ordained priest.
The suspect, identified as Jones Bogonko Onchonga, reportedly moved between several Catholic parishes within the Diocese of Lodwar, conducting religious services with enough apparent authority that his presence went largely unchallenged for some time.
How Alleged Impostor Operated
When TUKO.co.ke reached for comment, the church confirmed the incident, adding that he used forged documents to access altars and administer sacraments.
Church authorities say Onchonga relied on falsified documents to convince clergy and congregants alike that he was a legitimately recognised priest.
Those documents reportedly allowed him to perform duties that are, in Catholic tradition, reserved strictly for ordained ministers.
What has left many stunned is the extent of his alleged access. Onchonga is said to have participated in Masses at St Augustine Cathedral, Kalokol, St Thomas Chapel and St Mary's Lodaraja.
Diocese Disowns Onchonga
More remarkably, he was reportedly seen celebrating Mass alongside Bishop John Mbinda, the Catholic Bishop of Lodwar, raising serious questions about how an alleged impostor came to stand at the altar beside a sitting bishop.
Following his exposure and arrest, the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar moved swiftly to distance itself from the suspect, maintaining that he held no priestly standing within the Church.
In a public statement, Bishop Rt. Rev. John Mbinda, C.S.Sp. accused Onchonga of administering sacraments and performing priestly duties without authorization.
"Jones Bogonko Onchonga is not a Catholic priest recognised or authorised by the Diocese," the Church declared, urging members of the faithful not to engage with him in any religious capacity.
Church leaders have also called on Catholics across the region to exercise greater caution and to verify the credentials of any unfamiliar individual presenting themselves as clergy, particularly when sacraments are involved.
The concern is not merely procedural. In Catholic teaching, sacraments such as the Eucharist and confession carry profound spiritual weight, and the idea that they may have been administered by someone without ordination has caused considerable distress among the faithful.
Investigations are ongoing into how Onchonga allegedly obtained the forged documents and how he managed to operate across multiple parishes before anyone raised the alarm.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.