Controversial preacher Gilbert Deya, once the face of the infamous "miracle babies" scandal, has died in a road accident that has once again thrown his name into the national spotlight.
The 68-year-old preacher perished on Monday afternoon, June 16, 2025, when a trailer collided with his vehicle along the Kisumu-Bondo Highway.
The accident happened in Namba Kapiyo, a quiet area that was suddenly turned into a scene of horror. Deya was travelling in a Toyota Noah with two women—one believed to be his wife—when the trailer rammed into them. Police say several others, including university students, were injured in the crash.
Eyewitnesses say the impact was devastating. The car was a mangled shell of metal within seconds. Deya, who was reportedly seated at the front passenger seat, was rushed to a nearby hospital. He never made it.
His longtime lawyer, John Swaka, confirmed the news.
The accident happened in Namba Kapiyo, a quiet area that was suddenly turned into a scene of horror. Deya was travelling in a Toyota Noah with two women—one believed to be his wife—when the trailer rammed into them. Police say several others, including university students, were injured in the crash.
Eyewitnesses say the impact was devastating. The car was a mangled shell of metal within seconds. Deya, who was reportedly seated at the front passenger seat, was rushed to a nearby hospital. He never made it.
His longtime lawyer, John Swaka, confirmed the news.
“I was on the road when I got a call that he had been involved in a terrible accident. I tried reaching him several times but his phone went unanswered,” Swaka told reporters.
Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina confirmed the tragic event, saying investigations were underway to determine whether the truck driver was speeding or if mechanical failure was to blame.
Gilbert Deya rose to prominence in the early 2000s with explosive claims that he could help barren women give birth through prayer. His London-based ministry drew massive attention from believers and critics alike. But his empire crumbled when it was discovered that the so-called "miracle babies" were allegedly stolen children.
In 2017, after years of legal back-and-forth, he was extradited to Kenya from the UK to face child trafficking charges. He spent several years battling court cases and trying to revive his reputation.
Despite his past, Deya returned to the pulpit in recent years, preaching in parts of Nairobi and Kisumu. His followers believed he was misunderstood, while his critics saw him as the embodiment of religious exploitation. Regardless of where you stood, Gilbert Deya was not a name you ignored.
Reactions Pour In
News of his death has sparked mixed reactions online. Some Kenyans expressed sorrow, calling him a flawed but gifted man who helped them through dark times. Others couldn’t forget the pain families endured during the miracle baby investigations.
“He was a controversial figure, yes, but he helped people believe in the power of faith—even if that belief came with consequences,” one Twitter user wrote.
Others were blunt: “He died running from a past that never let him go.”
Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina confirmed the tragic event, saying investigations were underway to determine whether the truck driver was speeding or if mechanical failure was to blame.
Gilbert Deya rose to prominence in the early 2000s with explosive claims that he could help barren women give birth through prayer. His London-based ministry drew massive attention from believers and critics alike. But his empire crumbled when it was discovered that the so-called "miracle babies" were allegedly stolen children.
In 2017, after years of legal back-and-forth, he was extradited to Kenya from the UK to face child trafficking charges. He spent several years battling court cases and trying to revive his reputation.
Despite his past, Deya returned to the pulpit in recent years, preaching in parts of Nairobi and Kisumu. His followers believed he was misunderstood, while his critics saw him as the embodiment of religious exploitation. Regardless of where you stood, Gilbert Deya was not a name you ignored.
Reactions Pour In
News of his death has sparked mixed reactions online. Some Kenyans expressed sorrow, calling him a flawed but gifted man who helped them through dark times. Others couldn’t forget the pain families endured during the miracle baby investigations.
“He was a controversial figure, yes, but he helped people believe in the power of faith—even if that belief came with consequences,” one Twitter user wrote.
Others were blunt: “He died running from a past that never let him go.”
Deya’s family has remained silent. Funeral arrangements are expected in the coming days, and a public service may be held in Nairobi as investigators piece together what led to the crash.
0 Comments