ODPP Kenya: Jones Onchongo Charged for Forged Ordination Certificate

• Jones Onchongo faces fresh charges from the ODPP for forging an ordination certificate and uttering a false document in Kenya.
• He is accused of fabricating a certificate purportedly from the Diocese of Morogoro, Tanzania, to pose as an ordained Catholic priest.
• These new charges follow an earlier case where Onchongo was accused of personation, misrepresenting himself to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar.
• The alleged offenses occurred between July 31 and August 12, 2026, within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, Turkana County.
• Onchongo denied the initial personation charge and was released on Sh100,000 cash bail.

This case highlights the ODPP's active prosecution of fraud involving forged official documents and misrepresentation of professional status, underscoring the critical need for robust credential verification.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has brought fresh charges against Jones Onchongo, accusing him of forgery and uttering a false document. These new allegations are connected to a case where Onchongo is said to have presented himself as an ordained Catholic priest within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, located in Turkana County, Kenya. The ODPP's actions underscore a continued focus on prosecuting individuals who allegedly misrepresent their professional status through fraudulent means.

Central to the new charges is an allegedly fabricated ordination certificate. Prosecutors contend that on August 12, 2026, within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, Jones Onchongo forged this document, which purported to be issued by the Diocese of Morogoro in Tanzania. The certificate allegedly bore the name Fr Joseph Ebenyo Muhame. Furthermore, Onchongo faces a charge of uttering a false document, with the ODPP asserting that he knowingly and fraudulently presented this certificate as a genuine credential from the Tanzanian diocese, despite its alleged inauthenticity.

These recent developments follow an earlier case where Onchongo was charged with personation. Between July 31 and August 12, 2026, he allegedly falsely presented himself as an ordained priest at the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in Turkana Central. The prosecution claims that Onchongo used this deception to convince Bishop John Mbinda and other leaders of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar that he was a legitimately ordained cleric, thereby gaining access to church activities and conducting meetings. Onchongo has denied the initial personation charge and was granted Sh100,000 cash bail as the legal proceedings continue.

The charges against Jones Onchongo are rooted in specific provisions of the Kenya Penal Code, highlighting the legal ramifications for individuals who engage in such deceptive practices. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has invoked Section 351 of the Penal Code for the forgery charge, which addresses the act of fabricating documents with intent to defraud or deceive. In this instance, it pertains to the alleged creation of a false ordination certificate.

Complementing the forgery charge is the accusation of uttering a false document, which targets the act of presenting a forged item as genuine. This offense typically accompanies forgery when the fabricated document is put into circulation. Additionally, Onchongo faces charges under Section 382 of the Penal Code for personation, which criminalizes falsely representing oneself as another person or as holding a particular status or qualification, as he allegedly did by posing as an ordained priest to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar.

This case, involving Jones Onchongo and the alleged forgery of an ordination certificate in Kenya, serves as a stark reminder of the ODPP's active prosecution of fraud involving forged official documents and misrepresentation of professional status. It underscores the significant risks faced by organizations, particularly religious institutions like the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, when individuals exploit trust through deceptive means. The integrity of professional credentials is paramount, and their fraudulent creation or use can have profound legal and reputational consequences.

The ongoing proceedings highlight the critical need for robust due diligence processes within any organization that relies on verifying credentials. Failure to implement stringent checks can expose institutions to individuals who falsely claim qualifications or status, potentially leading to criminal charges for the perpetrators under Sections 351 (forgery) and 382 (personation) of the Penal Code. This case reinforces the message that the ODPP is committed to upholding the law against such forms of deception, emphasizing the importance of authentic documentation and truthful representation in all professional capacities.

This case highlights the ODPP's active prosecution of fraud involving forged official documents and misrepresentation of professional status. Lawyers should advise clients, particularly organizations that rely on verifying credentials, to ensure robust due diligence processes are in place to mitigate risks of criminal charges under Sections 351 (forgery) and 382 (personation) of the Penal Code.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM