Friday, May 12, 2023 –Nairobi Lawyer Cliff Ombeta wants government to free Bungoma Preacher by the name of Yesu wa Tongaren born Eliud Wekesa.
Ombeta has, on Friday May 12, started an intensive campaign meant to secure freedom of the self-styled ‘Jesus of Tongaren’ saying he(the pastor) had committed no crime to warrant any charges in any court of law.
Ombeta, by virtue of being a well-known criminal lawyer, has therefore threatened to represent pro-bono the self-styled Jesus until he is released.
“Let Yesu of Tongaren go,” Ombeta stated.
The lawyer sought to know why the police had arrested someone to punish him over using the name Yesu which is not a protected name.
Ombeta who is part of the top lawyers in the Ezekiel Odero’s matter in Kilifi, added that on this one of Yesu wa Tongaren, the government will be left embarrassed.
“Is the name Yesu personal or universal? He says he is Yesu wa Tongaren, and not Jesus of Nazareth. Do we have a case against him?” Ombeta wondered.
Just like many other persons have been referred to names in the Bible and Quran, Ombeta argues the same applies to Yesu wa Tongaren who has not claimed to be Jesus of Nazareth.
“What about present-day John, James, David and many more biblical names?” the lawyer posed even as the police seeks to hold the Bungoma priest for another period of four days for investigations to complete.
During his first day with the police, Yesu wa Tongaren who had been asked whether he had registered his church, said this exercise was in the process.
Perusing through the Kenyan Copyright Act, 2001 (Act No. 12 of 2001, as amended up to Act No. 11 of 2017), it provides for the protection of copyright in literary, musical, artistic, dramatic, audio-visual, sound recording, broadcast, computer programs (Apps), and other works.
The Act also provides for the enforcement of copyright, including the power to take civil and criminal action against infringers. The Copyright Board is the government agency legally mandated to administer and enforce the Copyright Act.
