The Easter season is a time when millions of Christians around the world reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but for Eliud Simiyu, also known as Yesu wa Bungoma, it may be a particularly precarious time.
According to an online user, Simiyu has expressed fear for his life as Easter approaches, claiming that some residents of Bungoma have threatened to crucify him.
“Yesu was Bungoma now claims his life is in danger, Easter is coming. This is after a section of residents of Bungoma were overheard saying he must be crucified during Easter the same way Jesus was crucified. The residents have assured him that if he is truly the Messiah, he will resurrect on the third day and go to heaven after the crucifixion so he should not worry at all,” the netizen wrote.
The online post elicited some humorous responses from users, with some calling for his faith to be tested like the way Jesus Christ was tested
“Yesu tulia, njia ya msalaba yaja,” said one user
“Surely we must test his faith like the way Jesus Christ was tested,” someone else commented.
“We want to know the truth if he is the true messiah, hii mambo na porojo we don’t want,” yet another user said.
Simiyu, the self-proclaimed Jesus of Tongaren, is the founder and leader of the New Jerusalem sect, which is based in Lukhokwe village, Tongaren Constituency. He has claimed to have the power to perform miracles and to be the real Jesus of the Bible.
Simiyu’s journey to becoming Yesu wa Bungoma began after he was hit in the head during a family quarrel in 2009. Upon being discharged from the hospital, he began preaching and has since gained a following.
