One pastor from Moi’s Bridge in Uasin Gishu County was brought before the Eldoret court, charged with the offense of being found in possession of 70 liters of illicit brew known as “chang’aa.”
The clergyman was found in possession of the illegal alcohol on Monday and was remanded at Eldoret Prison after failing to pay a cash bail of Ksh 50,000.
Isaac Tenge of the New Jerusalem Church was presented before the Chief Resident Magistrate of Eldoret, Rosemary Onkoba, and charged with the offense of being found in possession of a questionable substance.
The magistrate ordered his release on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh 100,000 with one surety of a similar amount. However, the pastor was unable to meet these financial requirements.
Tenge was accused of being found in possession of the illicit brew, commonly known as “chang’aa,” on September 24, 2023, at his residence in Moi’s Bridge, Soy Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
He was apprehended by a team of police officers from the Moi’s Bridge Police Station as part of a rigorous crackdown on the sale of illicit alcohol in the area.
Security officials raided the clergyman’s home based on a tip-off from the public and confiscated the illegal alcohol, leaving church members and residents in disbelief and shock.
Pastor Tenge appeared to have been abandoned by his congregation, as no church members were present in court except for his wife and three children. He denied the charges brought against him.
The pastor was then transported in a prison vehicle alongside other suspects to Eldoret Remand Prison after failing to post bail.
Initially, the pastor claimed in court that he had sustained injuries during his arrest by the officers and requested urgent medical attention.
“Your Honor, the police officers assaulted my wife and me, causing us physical harm. I require immediate medical attention, as does my wife,” the pastor claimed.
The case is scheduled for hearing and mention on October 5th of this year.
