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UK Police Probe Kenyan Pastor Over ‘Miracle Babies’

The East African Standard, Kenya
Aug. 16, 2004
Gitau wa Njenga
www.eastandard.net

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Tuesday August 17, 2004

UK police are investigating a London-based Kenyan pastor following revelations in a BBC documentary suggesting babies are being trafficked from Kenya.

Police sources at New Scotland Yard told the Sunday Standard in London that Metropolitan Police are investigating Archbishop Gilbert Deya, a London based Kenyan evangelical religious movement leader who claims he can create “miracle babies” for childless couples.

The multi millionaire TV evangelist also allegedly claimed he can exorcise demons from women past menopause or who are infertile.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Church of England and Children Charities in UK have called for an investigation into the claims, saying Deya’s actions are a front for baby-trafficking.

The practice has been criticised by Dominic Walker, the Bishop of Monmouth, who has also called for urgent police investigation.

Baby sale

BBC’s Face the Facts programme broadcast on Radio 4 on Friday investigated Archbishop Gilbert Deya, who heads a rapidly expanding evangelical movement said to number about 36,000 members in Britain.

The ministry has 14 branches in Britain, with missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The BBC revealed the Gilbert Deya Ministries takes women to Kenya, where they give birth, often apparently after just a few weeks of pregnancy.

Deya, who preaches regularly on KBC TV, world wide digital and cable channels, said he helps women who are unable to conceive naturally by proclaiming them pregnant – after an exorcism. He then sends them to backstreet clinics of Nairobi’s slums, where they apparently give birth.

Although pregnancy tests and ultra sound scans have shown no presence of a baby, women who have used his services claim they have displayed all the visible signs of being pregnant.

Yesterday, Revered Benjamin Mensah, who runs Deya Ministries in Manchester and Merseyside, defended his church and said it helps women who cannot conceive to have “miracle” babies.

Mensah said in an interview with BBC Manchester that it was up to doctors to explain why the DNA of the babies indicates they are not related to the women the church helps.

Yesterday, it emerged that a Manchester woman is among those on the church’s list waiting to go to Kenya to get a ‘miracle baby’.