Economy

Deya released on Sh10m bond after nine months in remand

deya

Pastor Gilbert Deya in court. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NMG

The High Court Tuesday released controversial televangelist Gilbert Deya on Sh10 million bond after spending nine months in remand.

In his ruling, Justice Luka Kimaru said that Pastor Deya’s previous conduct was still questionable and was considered a flight risk.

However, he pointed an accusing finger at the prosecution for failing to complete his trial even after being granted an additional 90 days.

“The accused needs to be given stringent terms so that he does not abscond, he has a history of absconding and maligning the courts,” said Justice Kimaru.

Last December, Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ordered that he could be released on a Sh1 million bond.

But the prosecution appealed at the High Court.

The magistrate had earlier granted the prosecution only 120 days to finalise the trial.

Mr Deya has been at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison since August 4, the day he was extradited from the UK and charged with the offence of child theft.

The prosecution had earlier told the court that the accused had allegedly evaded facing justice since 2005 and that they had to wait for 12 years to have the televangelist face trial.