Controversial Malawian Preacher Prophet Bushiri's Family Allowed to Travel to Kenya for Daughter's Transplant

The family of controversial Malawian televangelist Shepherd Bushiri has been allowed to travel to Kenya for his daughter’s treatment.

The family’s trip to Nairobi was approved by the country’s Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo.

“I would like to confirm that Israella has been referred by his doctor to a specialist in Kenya upon examination of her condition, which cannot be treated locally. In view of this development, she will be accompanied by Raphaella, who is key in the transplant,” said Chimwendo in a letter.

“The Government of Malawi has no objection for the patient and the three guardians to travel abroad for medical attention considering that there are no travel restrictions imposed on them by the Government,” the letter adds.

A Malawian hospital referred them to a top private facility in Nairobi, where 10-year-old Israella Bushiri is set to undergo treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Scanty details shared by the Malawian government indicate that the girl will undergo a transplant at a Kenyan hospital.

A week ago, Malawian authorities stopped four members of the Bushiri family from flying to Kenya due to unclear reasons.

Bushiri’s daughters, Raphaella and Israella, his mother-in-law Magdalena Zgambo and another family member named Esther Bushiri were turned away at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) by Malawi authorities on their way to Kenya.

The four were set to board a private jet the Bushiri family had chartered en route to Nairobi, with the controversial preacher’s attorney indicating that Israella needed urgent medical attention in Nairobi.

Police did not find Prophet Bushiri and his wife Mary when they went to search for them at their house. The couple later claimed that they were at a hospital.

Bushiri and Mary fled South Africa to Malawi in November last year, a few days after they were released on R200,000 bail each. The two forfeited the money and their mansion in Centurion by violating bail conditions, which barred them from leaving the country.

They were charged with theft, money laundering, and fraud in connection with an R100 million investment scheme. 

South Africa has filed extradition papers to get the fugitive couple back into the country to stand trial.