‘living god’ Jehovah Wanyonyi died of malaria at his home on July 18, the Uasin Gishu deputy county commissioner has said.
Wanyonyi ran the cult-like “Lost Israelites” in Western Kenya.
However, mystery surrounds the location of the grave of the 81-year-old spiritual leader.
Hundreds of followers have been camping at his Nangili home, which they call a shrine, demanding to know his whereabouts.
Many do not believe he is dead.
Yesterday, Christopher Wanjau, the county deputy county commissioner, said: “He died at home and the family asked for a letter allowing them to move the body to Kitale. The letter was issued by the chief.”
He said the body was taken to a hospital in Kitale.
Wanjau said Wanyonyi was not buried at his home, near the border between Uasin Gishu and Kakamega counties.
There was tension in his home yesterday as his family denied the reports on his death while followers demanded to know where he was buried.
“We want to be told the truth so we know if he has gone or he is still our leader,” follower David Waswa said.
Wanyonyi had been running the organisation for many years and was estimated to have more than 200,000 followers in Kenya and Eastern Uganda.
“We are sure he is well and will be back at the shrine. Those claiming he is dead are wrong and they will also come to know the truth,” follower Mary Nasimiyu said.
Chief Daniel Busienei said Wanyonyi’s family sought the permit to move Wanyonyi’s body to Kitale.
Assistant chief Paul Bett issued the movement letter on July 18 to Wanyonyi’s son Nelson Wanyonyi.
“We don’t know where exactly he was buried but it was not at that home because we did not issue the burial permit,” Wanjau said.
Wanyonyi’s followers say he had 70 wives and 500 children.
Family spokesman Eliab Masinde yesterday said they are waiting for information on the death.
“We have no information that he died. What we know is that his sons took him to hospital and he is still there,” he said.
