A man accused of impersonating a Catholic priest has been remanded at Lodwar G.K Prison after being arraigned before the Lodwar Courts on charges of impersonation.
The accused, Jones Bogonko Onchonga, is alleged to have falsely presented himself as an ordained Catholic priest and conducted religious duties within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in Turkana County.
Onchonga first appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Evanson Ngigi at the Lodwar Law Courts on August 14, 2026, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of impersonation contrary to Section 382 of the Penal Code.
However, when he appeared again before Resident Magistrate Michael Lokitam on August 17, he changed his plea to not guilty. The prosecution did not oppose the change of plea.
According to the particulars of the charge, Onchonga allegedly committed the offence between July 31 and August 12, 2026, at the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County.
The prosecution alleges that he willfully and through false pretenses led Rt. Rev. Bishop John Mbinda and the leadership of the Diocese to believe that he was a duly ordained Catholic priest authorized to conduct church meetings and administer sacraments, despite knowing that the claim was false.
ALSO READ:
The court granted Onchonga a bond of KSh100,000 with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh50,000. He remains at Lodwar G.K. Prison pending fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Magistrate Lokitam set August 31, 2026, for mention of the case and October 13, 2026, for the hearing.
The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar officially disowned Onchonga
The court granted Onchonga a bond of KSh100,000 with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh50,000. He remains at Lodwar G.K. Prison pending fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Magistrate Lokitam set August 31, 2026, for mention of the case and October 13, 2026, for the hearing.
Catholic Diocese of Lodwar disowns alleged priest
The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar officially disowned Onchonga in a public notice issued on August 16, 2026, describing him as an imposter.
In the notice signed by Bishop John Mbinda, the Diocese informed Christians and clergy that a man identifying himself as Rev. Fr. Jones Bogonko Onchonga, M.C., was not a Catholic priest.
The Diocese further stated that Onchonga was a married man with two children in Kisii.
According to the Church, his alleged actions amounted to serious violations of Canon Law, including:
- Canon 1379: Pretending to administer sacraments.
- Canon 1378: unauthorized celebration of Mass.
- Canon 1381: Usurpation of an ecclesiastical office.
- Canon 1391: Falsification of ecclesiastical documents.
How the alleged deception was uncovered
Investigations indicate that Onchonga had become involved in several activities within the Diocese before questions were raised about his identity and credentials.
On August 5, 2026, he was reportedly among priests accompanying Bishop Mbinda at St. Augustine Cathedral Church during a Holy Mass held ahead of the official launch of the Legion of Mary in the Diocese.
Concerns about his conduct emerged on August 9 when he allegedly celebrated Mass at St. Mary’s Shrine, Lodaraja, near River Kawalase.
According to the Diocese, some faithful noticed irregularities in the manner in which he conducted the liturgy. He reportedly appeared tense and left the altar during the service.
A photograph of Onchonga celebrating Mass was later shared in a WhatsApp group involving priests and the bishop. The image triggered discussions and raised concerns over apparent errors in the celebration of the liturgy.
Further inquiries reportedly established that Onchonga had claimed to have met Bishop Mbinda earlier and exchanged contacts with him. He was subsequently invited to Lodwar, where he was received by a nun and accommodated at the bishop’s residence.
The Church has since stated that documents presented by Onchonga as evidence of his priestly ordination and qualifications were fake.
Investigations have also established that, besides St. Mary’s Shrine in Lodwaraja, Onchonga allegedly celebrated Mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral and St. Thomas Parish.
Investigations into how he allegedly gained access to the Diocese, presented himself as a priest and presided over religious services are ongoing.
As the matter is before the court, the allegations against Onchonga remain unproven unless and until determined otherwise by the court.
