In a tragic incident that has shocked the nation, controversial Kenyan televangelist Bishop Gilbert Juma Deya has died following a fatal road accident on 17 June 2025. The crash took place at Namba Kapiyo, along the Kisumu–Bondo highway near Holo, when a trailer reportedly lost control after brake failure and rammed into Deya’s SUV.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic moment as emergency crews worked to rescue victims. Unfortunately, Bishop Deya was confirmed dead at the scene. Several other people are believed to have been injured in the incident, though official casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
Who Was Bishop Gilbert Deya?
Born on 2 February 1937 in Juja, Kiambu County, Bishop Deya rose from humble beginnings as a stonemason to establish one of Kenya’s most controversial ministries. He later moved to the United Kingdom, where he founded Gilbert Deya Ministries, claiming to help infertile women conceive “miracle babies” through prayer.
His dramatic claims earned him a large following but also drew scrutiny from both religious leaders and international investigators. Deya’s sermons were often aired on Christian TV channels in the UK and Kenya, where he positioned himself as a miracle worker capable of solving infertility through divine intervention.
Legal Challenges and Controversy
Bishop Deya’s ministry faced major backlash after multiple women claimed to have conceived through prayer, only for DNA tests to later prove the babies were not biologically related to them. These incidents sparked investigations, and his wife, Mary Deya, along with an associate, were arrested and charged with child theft.
In the UK, Deya also faced sexual assault charges in 2013, but he was acquitted in 2014. In 2017, he was extradited to Kenya to face child trafficking charges and was held in remand. After years of legal battles, a Kenyan court acquitted him in June 2023, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
Despite these setbacks, Deya maintained a loyal base of followers and continued preaching until his death.
The Road Accident and Growing Safety Concerns
The section of the Kisumu–Bondo road where the accident happened is known for frequent crashes, often involving trailers and buses. The accident involving Bishop Deya is the latest in a series of fatal incidents in western Kenya, raising fresh concerns about road safety standards, especially for heavy commercial vehicles.
Kenya has witnessed an alarming rise in road fatalities in recent years. According to statistics from national transport agencies, more than 4,000 people die annually in road accidents, with a significant portion of them occurring in rural areas due to poor road conditions, speeding, and vehicle malfunction.
A Controversial Legacy
Bishop Deya’s death brings to a close the life of a man who was as admired by his followers as he was condemned by his critics. While some viewed him as a faith healer sent by God, others saw him as a manipulative figure whose actions caused pain to countless families.
His “miracle baby” saga remains one of the most bizarre and widely publicized religious controversies in Kenya’s recent history. Now, with his sudden passing, questions remain about the future of his ministry and how his legacy will be remembered.
Final Thoughts
At the age of 88, Bishop Gilbert Deya’s life ended not in a courtroom or on a pulpit, but on a roadside in western Kenya. His journey—from poverty to prominence, through scandal and spiritual claims—was marked by complexity, charisma, and controversy.
