A man who pretended to be a priest conducted mass ceremonies at five Catholic churches before he was discovered, a court was told yesterday.
Mr Joseph Kariuki Mwangi, who was once in a seminary, has denied committing the offence in Nyandarua District.
A seminarian, Mr Stephen Kitenge, told a packed Nyahururu court that the accused was introduced to Fr Paul Karani of the Ngorika Parish by a Catholic nun who teaches at Tetu Girls High School.
He said Fr Karani then assigned the "visiting priest" pastoral duties.
But some church followers cried foul and queried why Mr Mwangi was allowed to use the parish car.
Mr Kitenge said: "Some church followers were so touched by his sermons that they solemnised their marriages.
"Three weddings were planned at Githiorori and Mr Mwangi was to preside over them. He was, however, arrested minutes before the ceremonies," he told resident magistrate Lucy Mutai.
The witness said that on various occasions, the accused had introduced himself as a priest who had worked in Yugoslavia and was on holiday pending transfer to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Kitenge caused laughter when he said Mr Mwangi conducted church ceremonies in such a "splendid way" that he was impressed and loved working under him.
He also said Mr Mwangi impressed congregations and many people solemnised their marriages.
In his evidence, Fr Karani said Mr Mwangi had also listened to confessions and blessed families at Ngorika, Rutara, Kanjwiri, Wiyumiririe, Nyoitoga and Githiorori Catholic churches.
The accused was also alleged to have conducted prayer sessions and baptised hundreds of children at colourful ceremonies attended by hundreds of worshippers.
The hearing continues.