Infights, Corruption and talks of possible poisoning of Fr. Wanyonyi rock Bungoma Catholic Church

In summary;

• Infighting and blame games
• Selected exposes from sources
• Corruption threatens to bringdown church
• Rumors surrounding Fr. Wanyonyi’s untimely death
• Livestreams to Fr’s funeral (4)
• #iKUWEiKUWE Corner

Shocking rumors about a possibility of Rev. Father Chris Wanyonyi having been poisoned has prompted some Bukusu elders to initiate consulting on the next cause of action. Father who is said to have had a swollen stomach at death is claimed to have been poisoned by his colleagues who are targeting taking over the church leadership from the late father

My rat at the church claims a meeting was held in one of the Parish on the outskirts of Bungoma town where one father was tasked to do the dirty work… Among the many texts/Chats I received that prompted an #iKUWEiKUWE investigation are;

“Sasa ikuweikuwe, The Catholic church committee in charge of the Cathedral’s construction was not involved in the first phase. In the second phase the project manager had BQ of 59M with the highest bidder costing at 64M while the lowest costed 56M. The project manager wanted the church to award a bidder with 62M whereas the construction committee and Rev. Fr. Wanyonyi declined opting to go for the 56m bidder. What followed is drama that we will write a book on. In short the chosen contractor used 32M to complete the church. Additionally, the BQ did not include the corrections from phase 1, those frontal stairs and the septic tank uko nyuma totaling to 4m, in total he was paid 36m and we managed to save between 20 – 26M money the PM wanted to eat.

So all the variations in phase 1 from 51M to 78M watu walikuwa wanatuibia tu”

~ Rat 1 ~

iKUWEiKUWE has also learnt that the Sub-Parish Chairman Mr. John Simiyu who is said to be close to the transition committee had scaled a plan to single handedly source and deliver the PEWs, together with his Deputy Chair Ms Everline Etyang surprised Christians on Tuesday last week when they personally with the help of some strangers who Christians have identified as people from Kakamega were spotted measuring the church floor with intention to supply the church PEWS (Benches). The team Proceeded to Zabibu restaurant for Lunch, Simiyu was later spotted at a function where the Bishop was the chief guest at the Opening of Jadelica Hotel belonging to the owner of Bungoma West Hospital that treated the then ailing Rev. Fr. Wanyonyi. It is suspected that Simiyu was briefing the Bishop on the progress of the benches.

Simiyu has NO child in that school and has no papers to be anywhere in high positions despite the fact that his children’s education are said to have been paid for by the church/Christians… the posh car he unusually occasionally drives is suspected to have been bought uing church-funds as he claims it came from donors

Christians are up in arms against Mr. John Simiyu the Sub –Parish Chair whom they have no confidence for misleading the transition Committee that he was on the Board of the two schools, this has raised eyebrows making both parents and Christians alert and vigilant, the drive to be in control of the resources at the Parish after the demise of Rev. Fr. Wanyonyi is very suspect. One of the leaders stated that Simiyu’s integrity is highly questionable after trying to Pocket 15,000/= that was supposed to be paid to a supplier (Mshamba of TV Magharibi and SaSa radio) during Rev. Fr. Wanyonyi’s Funeral service. It took the intervention of other committee leaders to push him into paying the other half.

Also watch;

1. Father Christopher Wanyonyi’s body arrives at LifeCare morgue… https://fb.watch/8bfc5NytnT/
2. Father christopher Wanyonyi’s Mass service at Christ the King Cathedral… https://fb.watch/8bfjYkIniX/
3. Burial CLIP 1: Father Christopher Wanyonyi’s burial @Kibabii Priest’s Cemetery… https://fb.watch/8beWRygq4p/
4. Burial CLIP 2: Catholic fathers (pallbearers) bury their colleague Rev. Fr. Christopher Wanyonyi… https://fb.watch/8bfzBopdE-/

iKUWEiKUWE has also established that Simiyu had made a scheme to legitimize his actions by calling an urgent Sub-Parish council meeting to endorse his scheme to supply the benches for the church without single checks. The meeting was however overturned when some leaders demanded explanation and why money is being spent without the reference to its donors (Christians). The meeting turned to be very hot with the resignation of the Parish Treasurer who does not want to be dragged into the mess where funds are being used without following proper channels; the meeting was also informed that some of the leaders who were present exaggerated the cost of construction with intention to loot funds. With very high emotions, the Sub Parish Councilors passed a vote of no confidence in their chair Mr. Simiyu and this will form the main agenda in their next meeting.  Rumors has it that Simiyu is busy trying to change the fight to be a tribal one but is still struggling as Rev. Fr. Chris clearly stated in the meeting before storming out that everyone should carry their own crosses.

We are also reliably informed that Rev. Fr. Ogola tried to introduce voting for the dean at their recent deanery meeting and was not supported by the other priest as it was not an agenda Item. And Christians are suspecting that the appointment of Rev. Fr. Bramwel as in charge of Pastoral work in the deanery was a scheme to build his case to ascent to the dean and transfer to the cathedral.

“Further upon Rev. Fr’s death there has been a rush to dispense and expense the parish funds that Christians raised for various projects at the church being installation of church PEWs (benches), Paving and fencing of the church compound, the Priest House and other sustainability projects at the Parish. The Christians are agitated with this since immediately the Parish Priest Demise, a transition committee was formed comprising of and chaired by Rev. Fr Ogola John, Rev. Fr. Pius Lukhale, Rev. Fr. Bramuel and Rev. Fr. Chris Wafula. The rushed to collecting cheque books from the two schools, Parish offices and changing the accounts signatories to Be Fr. Edward and the Bishop, Christians also learnt that funds were transferred from the church account to the diocese account and have been already spent without the parish leaderships consent. Christians are wondering why the rush to spent Project money while they are still mourning the death of their beloved priest. It is said that Fr. Edward was busy contacting suppliers owed by the church even before the burial of the priest and Christians have not reconciled the fact that Fr. Ogola was Pushing for the burial of Fr. To be within 72 hrs yet reports show that Fr. Did not succumb to Covid. Rev. Fr. Ogola Ignored Calls from Christians to have the Chair of the Parish Eulogize Fr. during Mass and have also continued to ignore the Parish leadership”

~ Rat 2 ~

Rejoinder;

Reached an official of the church says;

• Father died of Covid complications
• The main concern is the amount involving the unprocedural payments made to a contractor after the demise of father.
• All other accounts are intact
• The church roof is leaking and is part of the concerns raised over payment

#iKUWEiKUWE Corner;

• iKUWEiKUWE has been overwhelmed by calls/messages from Christians to investigate the situation and expose so that the larger Catholic fraternity knows what’s cutting within the biggest church… as usual we will relay on what our rats deliver on our table as we consider some quality due diligence before publications.
• Most Church officials I consulted declined giving their comments for fear of the unknown
• Some of those adversely mentioned could not be reached for comment