Controversial preacher Pastor Kanyari has been implicated in a case of baby theft by a Juja based woman.
Mercy Makone Nelima told a city court that the Salvation Healing Ministry pastor instructed her to steal a girl aged seven years on April 12 within Ruaraka area.
According to court documents seen by The Nairobian, Nelima, a house help based in Juja, was to work with three other accomplices to kidnap Margaret Murunga Aura’s daughter and suck her blood.
The court heard from the prosecution that on the material day, Nelima visited Murunga to plait her hair, but since she was busy with house chores, Nelima asked to leave with the child to deliver items to Murunga’s sister who was their mutual friend.
An hour later, Nelima had not returned with the girl and could not be traced. However, inside a black handbag which she had left at Murunga’s house, a note with four mobile numbers and instructions was found.
“Call these numbers, and get what you want, Pastor Kanyari, call and get your child (blood) tunakunywa, we belong in (Illuminati), blood taken (we take blood) (sic),” read the note in part as quoted by The Nairobian.
The local daily further reports that the matter was reported to authorities and Nelima was traced to her hideout in Juja.
Nelima later led the police to her employer’s house in Juja where the baby was found safe and sound.
She pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to five years in jail on Monday April 24.
“All the facts read are true, I did it because I was sent to do so by the preacher,” she claimed.
Additional Reporting by The Nairobian
