Renowned yet controversial preacher Bishop Gilbert Deya perished in a fatal road accident on Monday afternoon along the Kisumu-Bondo Highway, police and sources close to the family confirmed. The crash, which occurred at Namba Kapiyo near Holo, also left several others injured.
According to Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina, Deya was travelling in a Toyota Noah with two female passengers, one believed to be his wife, when a trailer lost control, reportedly due to brake failure, and collided with their vehicle.
The impact extensively damaged the SUV, resulting in Deya’s immediate death at the scene. The other passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities, though their conditions remain undisclosed.
Seme Sub-County Police Commander Jacob Chelimo corroborated the incident, noting that the accident involved three vehicles, including a university bus and a county vehicle.
Preliminary investigations suggest the trailer’s mechanical failure as the primary cause, with authorities continuing to probe the circumstances.
Deya’s long-time lawyer, John Swaka, expressed shock at the news, stating, “I was on the road when I learnt of the accident. I’ve been unable to reach his family, and his phone is off.” Swaka confirmed Deya’s identity as one of the victims to local media.
Bishop Deya, infamous for his “miracle babies” claims in the early 2000s, faced years of legal and public scrutiny over allegations of child trafficking and fraudulent miracle pregnancies. Despite the controversies, he maintained a significant following through his ministry.
The accident has sparked an outpouring of condolences and mixed reactions on social media, with some mourning the loss of a spiritual leader and others reflecting on his contentious legacy.
