Controversial Preacher Gilbert Deya Released on Sh10 Million Cash Bail in Child Theft Case

The High Court has released controversial preacher Gilbert Deya on a Sh10 million cash bail or a bond of similar amount.

The televangelist is facing five counts of child theft, where he's accused of stealing children aged 14 and below between 2002 and 2004 at Mountain View Estate in Nairobi.

In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Luka Kimaru, however, maintained that strict conditions should be set so the accused does not abscond.

"The accused has a history of absconding and maligning the courts. He should follow terms to make sure he attends court," Kimaru ruled.

The case will be mentioned on May 29th to confirm whether Deya settled the cash bail or bond. Deya was last year deported to Kenya from the United Kingdom to face child theft charges.

In January, Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi granted Deya a Sh1 Million bond with a surety of Sh2 Million, but the High Court quashed the decision after an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution.

Bishop Deya was remanded at Kamiti Maximum Prison since since his deportation from the UK. In 2008, his wife, Mary Deya was  charged and convicted with 10 counts of similar offences and was handed a three-year jail term.