The Kenya police is yet to effect a warrant of arrest issued against London-based preacher, Gilbert Deya, who is facing child theft charges.
State prosecutor, Mr Stephen Chaacha, requested a Nairobi court to give them a month to do so, when the case came for mention before Chief Magistrate Aggrey Muchelule.
Last month, police preferred five child theft charges against Deya.
Consequently, Nairobi magistrate Mrs Rosemelle Mutoka issued a warrant of arrest against the bishop.
This means he has to be extradited to face the charges. The preacher is based in the United Kingdom, where he has been for the last two years. Deya is alleged to have stolen five children aged below 14 years, on diverse dates between May 12, 1999 and August 19, 2004.
He is charged with harboring them “knowing they were taken, detained or enticed away.” He committed the offences at Mountain View Estate, Nairobi. The prosecution intends to call more than nine witnesses, among them five police officers.
This is not the first time Deya has been charged in absentia. In September last year, he was charged and a warrant of arrest issued against him.
His wife, Mrs Mary Deya, is facing a separate charge of stealing the same babies.
Others facing child theft charges are Ugandan-born British national Miriam Nyeko and Mrs Rose Kiserem.