NAIROBI, Kenya- Eliud Wekesa, the self-proclaimed Yesu wa Tongaren, has spoken out following the death of Pope Francis—suggesting the late pontiff kept a crucial spiritual truth hidden from the Catholic faithful.
The Vatican announced Pope Francis’s death on Monday morning at the age of 88, after weeks of deteriorating health.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed that “the Bishop of Rome has returned to the house of the Father” at 7:35 a.m.
But in Kenya, Wekesa, who is based in Bungoma, says there’s more to the Pope’s passing than global headlines are capturing.
“His time had come,” Wekesa told Y News during an exclusive phone interview. “That is the true reality of life—being born and dying. I have prayed for his soul.”
He then made a striking claim that the Pope died without revealing what he described as a critical spiritual truth.
“It is during his time that the Kingdom of God was restored to the world,” he said.
“A white horse is going round the world, and he should have prepared the Catholic faithful for this.”
According to Wekesa, the imagery of the white horse—borrowed from the Book of Revelation—signifies nothing less than the return of Jesus Christ.
“This has been unfolding since 2009,” he said. “The world is entering the final hour. But many are not aware because they were never told.”
The preacher, often viewed as eccentric and controversial, has gained notoriety for claiming to be the modern-day Jesus.
His home in Bungoma County has become a curious pilgrimage site, often drawing crowds, local media, and at times, police attention.
His remarks come at a time when the Catholic Church is entering a delicate transition.
Pope Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina—made history in 2013 as the first pope from the Global South, the first Jesuit to lead the Church, and the first to choose the name “Francis,” in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
His legacy is one of humility, reform, and advocacy for the marginalized.
He washed the feet of refugees, spoke out against climate inaction, and pushed for a more inclusive Church.
But to Wekesa, his failure to reveal what was “happening in the spiritual realm” is a missed opportunity.
“He was chosen for a purpose. But some things were left unsaid,” Wekesa noted.
The preacher, however, says he has since notified his followers, who fondly refers to him as teacher.
