Pastor in stealing of Sh23.5 million released on bail

A Nairobi Milimani court released a city pastor on bail after he denied stealing Sh23.5 million from Word of Life Centre Church and Ministries.

Daniel Bushebi Munalo denied three counts of uttering false documents and one count of stealing by agent.

According to the prosecution, Munalo is accused of fraudulently altering account details and a signatory mandate for the church’s Eco Bank accounts between February 2019 and August 2021.

The prosecution alleges that on August 6, 2021, at Eco Bank Plaza in Nairobi, Munalo knowingly submitted false documents to change account mandates for Word of Life Centre Church and Ministries.

Further, on March 1, 2019, and February 22, 2019, at Eco Bank West Minister Branch, Munalo allegedly altered signatory details of the church’s accounts to gain control over funds.

In the theft charge, Munalo is accused of stealing sh 23,558,625 entrusted to him for church operations and land purchases.

The theft is said to have occurred between November 1, 2019, and August 9, 2021.

Appearing before the presiding magistrate Dolphina Alego, Munalo pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Through his lawyer Miss Muthami, he asked the court to release him on reasonable bail terms, arguing that he is the sole breadwinner and can only afford a Sh500,000 bond.

However, the prosecution strongly opposed the application, alleging absence of an affidavit supporting the plea.

Instead, they proposed stringent bail conditions.

Magistrate Alego released him on a bond of Sh10 million with an alternative cash bail of Sh2 million.

The matter will be mentioned on March 28, for pretrial purposes