Pastor Charged with Defrauding Devout Businesswoman of Sh 2.6 Million

A pastor in Narok County, Kenya, stands accused of defrauding a businesswoman of Sh2.6 million in a cattle investment scheme.

Pastor Johnson Kintalel Nkuku on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which allege he deceived Yvonne Teeti into believing he would purchase 100 cattle for her. Teeti, a devout follower of Nkuku, testified that she entrusted him with the money due to their spiritual connection, believing him to be her “spiritual father.” Nkuku, who preaches at the Dominion Church, had proposed the cattle ranching venture to Teeti, offering his expertise and land to house the purchased livestock.

Their agreement involved Teeti sending Nkuku funds for the cattle, primarily through M-Pesa and cash transactions. Notably, they lacked any formal written agreement despite Teeti’s boyfriend witnessing some of the transactions. Court records confirm Teeti’s withdrawal of Sh1 million from a bank between December 2020 and January 2021, which she subsequently handed over to the pastor.

Teeti’s trust in Nkuku is evident in her lack of concern regarding a formal agreement or verification of the cattle purchase. This trust extended further when Nkuku requested Teeti’s newly purchased pick-up truck for “special prayers and anointing,” claiming it was God’s will. Despite holding onto the vehicle for an extended period of six months under the pretence of incomplete prayers, Teeti did not raise any immediate concerns.

However, by 2023, after having sent Nkuku a total of Sh2.6 million and receiving no cattle or her vehicle back, Teeti sought help from the authorities. Nkuku was subsequently charged with obtaining the money through deception between March 2021 and April 2023. During the court proceedings, an emotional Teeti pleaded for the court’s intervention to recover her lost funds. The court adjourned the case until April 15, 2024, for further hearings.