Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that the UK-based preacher is a flight risk and the reasons given by the prosecution to continue detaining him were compelling/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 11 – Controversial televangelist Gilbert Deya will be remanded at the Kamiti Maximum Prison until his case ends.
Denying him bail on Friday, Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that the UK-based preacher is a flight risk and the reasons given by the prosecution to continue detaining him were compelling.
The magistrate noted that Deya was brought back to Kenya through extradition which he fought for more than 12 years.
Andayi noted that Deya and his wife Mary Juma Deya were first accused in 2003 and Mary was later convicted and sentenced to a total of three years for child theft and forging registration certificates.
But as his wife faced trial, Deya fled to the United Kingdom.
He said although the suspect was still innocent until proven otherwise, the reasons advanced by the prosecution led by Nicholas Mutuku, were compelling.
Andayi, however, directed the prosecutor to be ready with his witnesses and documents because the trial will be heard on a day-to-day basis until conclusion.
And should the prosecution fail to expedite the trial as directed, Deya is free to make a fresh application to be freed on bail.
Deya of the ‘miracle babies’ fame, had pleaded with the court to free him on bail saying he was being held in deplorable conditions.
Through his lawyer John Swaka, Deya said he is being held in a single cell, which is extremely dirty and unfit for habitation.
He said the prison warders have given him a bucket to relieve himself and forced to wash it with bare hands in the morning. He said this was not part of the extradition agreement.
He said the cell does not meet the standards of Article 3 of the European Commission, which was stipulated by the High Court in London when he was being extradited.
Swaka said one of the conditions that the UK court and Kenya agreed on upon Deya’s extradition was that he would be held in dignified conditions.
He said Kenya allegedly assured the court that Kamiti has a special place where he will be comfortable.
Deya had denied five counts of stealing children. It is alleged that on diverse dates between 2002 and 2004 in Mountain View Estate, he stole the children. All the children were under 14 years.
He maintained that he was not a flight risk and would adhere to all conditions set by the court.
The trial will commence on October 9.
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