Televangelist Gilbert Deya Thrown to Kamiti Prison

mary kulundu

August 4, 2017 4:44 PM

Court ruling

Controversial UK-based televangelist Gilbert Deya was on Friday remanded at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

Deya was arraigned at Milimani Court after being deported to Kenya in the wee hours of the morning.

Presiding over the case Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that Deya, who is accused of stealing babies under his ministry Miracle Babies, should stay in custody until August 10, 2017.

However, the televangelist pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.

His lawyers Cliff Ombetta and John Swaka urged the court to free their client on a bond stating that Deya would not flee.

“He is a resident of Bondo and has a family in the country. He is an archbishop who has 36,000 members in London alone. The accused is not a flight risk,

“There are no compelling reasons to have Deya detained," Mr Ombeta said.

Despite the plea, the Magistrate directed that he be remanded until August 10 when he will know the fate of his bond.

Deya is alleged to have stolen five Kenyan children between 1999 and 2004 and has been battling deportation since 2007.

In November 2014 Deya’s wife Mary was arrested and charged with stealing children.

The case is due for hearing on October 9 and 16.