BUNGOMA, Kenya – Amref Health Africa has collaborated with Yesu wa Tongaren, the self-proclaimed ‘messiah’ and ‘son of God’ in a deworming programme in Western Kenya.
In a statement posted on its official X platform, Amref Health Africa disclosed that it moved to recognise religion and spirituality’s critical role in people’s medical decisions.
“In the fight to control and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases, the Deworming Innovation Fund Program in Western Kenya has partnered with unlikely champions to ensure all eligible populations are reached with our interventions,” the organisation posted on X (previously Twitter).
Y News understands that Amref Health Africa was officially founded in 1957 to deliver mobile health services and provide surgical support to mission hospitals.
All I know about Amref Health Africa
A medical radio network was developed to coordinate the service and provide communication. In the early 1960s, ground-based mobile medical services and ‘flight clinics’ were added for the under-served and remote areas in the Kajiado and Narok districts.
Meanwhile, the statement from Amref Health Africa, seen by Y News, further read:
“Recognising the critical role that religion and spirituality play in people’s medical decisions, we partnered with Yesu wa Tongaren, the self-proclaimed ‘messiah’ and ‘son of God’.”
According to Amref Health Africa, the move seeks to ensure Yesu Wa Tongaren’s congregants were included during the community-wide treatment exercises, targeting intestinal worms and bilharzia.
“This was key because of drug hesitancy and resistance from the sect’s members during previous treatment exercises and in keeping with the spirit of reaching the unreached as part of Universal Health Coverage,” the organisation further said.
However, in a twist of events, when asked for a comment, Yesu Wa Tongaren told Y News that he was not privy to the arrangement.
“I recently met a delegation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) who donated something small for my mission. However, I am open to any partnership that seeks to empower our people,” Yesu Wa Wanyonyi said.
Who is Yesu Wa Tongaren
Y News understands that Yesu wa Tongaren, the Bungoma-based preacher Eliud Wekesa, became famous in 2023 when police summoned him.
On May 16, 2023, Bungoma Principal Magistrate Tom Olando issued an order for his release after the police were unable to substantiate allegations of cultism against his New Jerusalem Church.
Allegations were made against him for leading a religious cult in Tongaren, posing as Jesus Christ, instilling extremist views in his followers, encouraging money laundering, and acquiring, possessing, or using proceeds from criminal activity.
The prosecution requested that the magistrate dismiss the case against the accused and free him, stating that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigation had found no evidence to support their allegations.
Yesu wa Tongaren expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest and the unfounded charges against him throughout the court process.
Y News is aware that despite significant advancements, HIV, TB, and malaria continue to be major problems on the African continent.
Moreover, there is reason for concern given the sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In certain nations, neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, are also hazardous.
Governments and partners should work together to advance efforts in the areas of vaccine use for diseases that can be prevented by vaccination, primary healthcare integration of NCD services, advocacy for domestic financing, and the prevention, detection, and treatment of these conditions.
