ODPP: Jones Onchongo Charged for Forgery of Ordination Certificate in Lodwar

• Jones Onchongo faces new charges from the ODPP for forging an ordination certificate and uttering a false document.
• He is accused of creating a fake ordination certificate purportedly from the Diocese of Morogoro, Tanzania, and presenting it as genuine within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar.
• These charges follow an earlier accusation of personation, where Onchongo allegedly falsely presented himself as an ordained priest to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar.
• The charges are brought under Kenya Penal Code Sections 351 (forgery) and 382 (personation).
• Onchongo had previously denied the personation charge and was released on Sh100,000 cash bail.

This prosecution serves as a practical example of the application of Kenya's Penal Code Sections 351 and 382 in a high-profile criminal matter.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Kenya has brought new charges against Jones Onchongo, accusing him of forgery and presenting a false document. These allegations stem from claims that Onchongo misrepresented himself as an ordained Catholic priest within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, located in Turkana County. The prosecution asserts that Onchongo fabricated an ordination certificate, purportedly issued by the Diocese of Morogoro in Tanzania, which he then knowingly presented as authentic.

Specifically, the ODPP charges Jones Onchongo with forging an ordination certificate on August 12, 2026, within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar. This document was allegedly created in the name of Fr Joseph Ebenyo Muhame. Furthermore, he faces a charge of uttering a false document, with prosecutors contending that he fraudulently presented this certificate as genuine, despite being aware of its inauthenticity. These recent charges build upon an earlier case where Onchongo was accused of personation.

The initial personation charge alleged that between July 31 and August 12, 2026, Onchongo falsely presented himself as an ordained priest at the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in Turkana Central. The prosecution claims he used deception to convince Bishop John Mbinda and other leaders of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar that he was a legitimately ordained cleric. He is further accused of leveraging this alleged misrepresentation to participate in church activities and conduct meetings within the diocese, despite the prosecution maintaining he knew he was not an ordained priest. Onchongo previously denied the personation charge and was released on a cash bail of Sh100,000.

The ODPP charges Jones Onchongo under key provisions of the Kenya Penal Code. The forgery accusation falls under Section 351, which addresses the creation of false documents with intent to defraud or deceive. In this instance, the alleged fabrication of an ordination certificate from the Diocese of Morogoro is central to the charge. The accompanying charge of uttering a false document implies that Onchongo not only created the fake priest ordination certificate but also actively used it, presenting it as legitimate to the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar.

This case also involves Section 382 of the Penal Code, which pertains to personation. The prosecution's claim that Onchongo falsely presented himself as an ordained priest, thereby engaging in fake priest personation Kenya, directly invokes this section. The legal framework requires the prosecution to demonstrate that Onchongo intentionally deceived church officials, including Bishop John Mbinda, about his clerical status. This prosecution serves as a practical example of the application of Kenya's Penal Code Sections 351 and 382 in a high-profile criminal matter.

This prosecution against Jones Onchongo for alleged forgery of an ordination certificate and personation carries significant implications, particularly for religious institutions and their internal vetting processes. The alleged fraud within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar highlights the vulnerabilities that organizations can face when individuals misrepresent their credentials. Such incidents underscore the critical need for robust verification mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive roles and activities.

For criminal defense lawyers, this case offers insights into the complexities of defending against charges under Kenya's Penal Code Sections 351 and 382, especially when dealing with allegations of sophisticated deception involving official-looking documents. Compliance officers, particularly those in religious or other institutions, can draw valuable lessons regarding fraud detection and the importance of thorough background checks for individuals seeking to engage in official capacities. The integrity of religious leadership and public trust are at stake, making the outcome of this case a matter of considerable public and institutional interest.

This case provides a practical example of the application of Kenya's Penal Code Sections 351 (forgery) and 382 (personation) in a high-profile criminal prosecution, offering insights for criminal defense lawyers and compliance officers in religious or other institutions regarding fraud detection and internal vetting processes.

Source: Original reporting via Kenyan news sources