Korean pastor risks arrest in Kileleshwa land fraud case

A file photo of the Kibera Law Courts in Nairobi County. Kenya-based Korean pastor Jonathan Inchoong Kang must present himself to a magistrate on Monday for plea-taking in a forgery case. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Pastor Jonathan Inchoong Kang allegedly forged documents from the Nairobi County government in a bid to encroach on a piece of land in Kileleshwa.

  • Mr Kang, of the Korean United Church, is to present himself at the Kibera Law Courts.

  • He has been entangled in a prolonged legal battle with his neighbour in Kileleshwa, Mr Song Seung Ho, who is also a Korean.

A Kenyan-based Korean pastor will be arrested if he does not go to court on Monday to take plea in a case of forgery.

Pastor Jonathan Inchoong Kang allegedly forged documents from the Nairobi County government in a bid to encroach on a piece of land in Kileleshwa.

ULTIMATUM

Mr Kang, of the Korean United Church, is to present himself at the Kibera Law Courts.

The order was issued as he has failed to honour summonses since October last year, claiming he had been unwell.

“If he fails to appear on that day (November 12), the court will issue warrants for his arrest,” magistrate Elizabeth Osoro ruled on October 29.

Mr Kang has been entangled in a prolonged legal battle with his neighbour in Kileleshwa, Mr Song Seung Ho, who is also a Korean.

The pastor allegedly forged a letter of approval and claimed it was genuinely issued to him for construction on a sewer line.

In a letter dated August 2016 to Mr Song’s advocates, Nairobi denied issuing the approval to either Mr Kang or his church.

“This is to inform you that the attached, ref CPD/DC/LR/2/698 dated May 30, 2016 and purported to have been granted by us did not originate from our office,” said the letter from the director of planning and regularisation at City Hall.

DPP'S ORDER

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) directed that Mr Kang be charged with forgery but police were reluctant in executing the order.

This prompted Mr Song’s lawyer, Eric Mutua, to file a complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

“You were directed to prefer forgery charges against Mr Jonathan Inchoong Kang. That position has not changed, “ stated a September 24 letter from the DPP to the Kilimani Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

In the letter, the DPP ordered another person, a Mr Paul Misori, charged alongside Mr Kang.

“Proceed to arrest the duo and prefer the charges as earlier directed,” the letter signed by Deputy DPP Nicholus Mutuku stated.

Mr Kang had been arrested but was released on a police cash bail and ordered to appear in court on October 29. He did not and since then, the court has been deferring the plea-taking.