By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Renowned televangelist Bishop Gilbert Deya has died following a tragic road accident at Namba Kapiyo along the Kisumu–Bondo highway.
According to Nyanza Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Peter Maina, the accident involved three vehicles: a Toyota Noah driven by Deya, a Moi University bus, and a Siaya County government vehicle.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Deya lost control of his vehicle and veered into the path of the university bus. In a bid to avoid a head-on collision, the bus swerved and overturned, after which Deya’s car crashed into the county government vehicle.
“Deya died on the spot. Two passengers in his vehicle — his wife and another woman — sustained minor injuries,” Maina told KBC journalist Wycliffe Oketch in Kisumu. The televangelist’s body has been taken to the Kombewa Sub-County Hospital mortuary.
The Moi University bus was carrying students, 13 of whom sustained serious injuries. Three of the injured were transferred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu for specialized treatment. An additional 13 students were treated for minor injuries at Kombewa Sub-County Hospital.
Police investigations into the accident are ongoing.
Bishop Deya rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his controversial “miracle babies” claims, which sparked national and international uproar.
He was later extradited from the United Kingdom to face child trafficking charges in Kenya. Despite the legal battles and public scrutiny, Deya continued preaching and broadcasting his ministry until his death.
