Instances of religious leaders exploiting their followers have become increasingly common in various parts of Kenya. In a courtroom drama, a 30-year-old woman, Yvonne Kaleti, recounted how a pastor from Narok County allegedly swindled her of over KSh 2 million under false pretences, claiming it was God’s instruction.
Yvonne, a butcher, testified that Pastor Johnson Nkuku refused to answer her calls after she transferred the money to him. Nkuku stands accused of fraudulently obtaining KSh 2,666,109 from Yvonne between March 1, 2021, and April 30, 2023, by deceitfully promising to buy cows for her.
During cross-examination, Yvonne revealed that she sent money to the pastor over two years, even after he allegedly requested that she transfer ownership of her car to him, claiming divine instruction.
The ordeal began when the pastor purportedly helped Yvonne recover payment for a land sale. Subsequently, he convinced her to entrust him with funds to purchase cows on her behalf, which she later regretted when she couldn’t locate the cattle.
Yvonne’s suspicions grew when the pastor evaded her inquiries about the cows and eventually switched off his phone to avoid her. She expressed her shock at being deceived by someone she trusted due to his religious standing.
The court documents indicate that Yvonne and the pastor first crossed paths in 2021 when he visited her family to offer prayers and assist in resolving a debt issue. The case is being presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate Robertson Ondieki.
The incident sheds light on the vulnerability of individuals who place blind faith in religious leaders.