Rev. Father John Juma Pesa One, founder of the Holy Ghost Coptic Church of Kenya, has urged the public to stop referring to him as “Owigo,” insisting the name is neither his nor one he recognizes.
In an exclusive interview with The Kenyan Tabloid , the cleric said he was born Johannes Juma Pesa in Homa Bay County and later received the name John during baptism in the Roman Catholic Church, long before establishing his own ministry.
“My name is Johannes Juma Pesa. I was baptized in the Catholic Church and given the name John, hence Father John Pesa. I do not know why people call me Owigo and associate me with evil,” he said.
Father Pesa explained that his church is located in Kanyakwar village, which he believes may have a name similar to “Owigo,” triggering the confusion. He expressed shock that the nickname has persisted despite his repeated clarifications.
The clergyman also addressed long-standing claims linking him to fatal accidents that previously occurred at the Coptic Roundabout near his church, saying the allegations severely disturbed his peace.
“At one point, the Kisumu County government even threatened to remove our church because of those accidents, but the court intervened,” he said.
According to Father Pesa, he repeatedly petitioned the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to redesign the junction, arguing that the crashes were caused by poor road engineering rather than any supernatural factors.
“I am a man of God and harmless. People accused me without knowing the roundabout was poorly constructed. After it was demolished and restructured, no more fatal accidents have been recorded,” he said.
Turning to national politics, the outspoken cleric condemned the rising tide of political insults, warning opposition figures against what he termed disrespect toward President William Ruto.
“No one should insult the president. Leaders must be respected without apology,” he said, further accusing some politicians of allegedly sponsoring youths to attack rivals and even religious leaders online and at public forums.
Father Pesa also praised the head of state’s development agenda in the Nyanza region, saying the government had made significant strides in addressing historical marginalization.
He cited the newly launched Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to Kisumu as a transformative project that would lower transport costs, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
“President Ruto has done much compared to the four presidents before him. The SGR will ease travel, create employment opportunities, and improve the economy,” he said.
The cleric added that the president’s projects would ultimately define his legacy, expressing confidence that the development record would bolster his prospects in the 2027 General Election.
