Police officers in Homa Bay County have arrested a 45-year-old cleric for allegedly defiling a minor at Kopiyo village in Homa Bay Town constituency.
The cleric who was arrested on Monday, March 13 afternoon is currently detained at Homa Bay police station awaiting arraignment.
Reports say that the cleric defiled the 13-year-old primary school girl when her parents took her to him for prayers.
Moreover, neighbors say the minor collapsed some days back and became unconscious prompting the parents to take her to the cleric for prayers.
The suspect, who is one of the clerics who have been providing spiritual guidance to those who approaches them for prayers is a member of the Roho Church.
According to one of his neighbors, the cleric has four wives each living in a separate house within the same compound.
Likewise, there is a house within the same compound that the suspect has turned into a shrine for prayers.
“The man slept with the girl in the shrine when she went for prayers,” the neighbor said.
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Nonetheless, Homa Bay Sub-County children officer Joseph Otieno reported that they arrested the cleric after receiving reports about the alleged defilement of the minor.
He noted that the victim’s mother told them her daughter was defiled when she left her to be prayed for in the shrine.
“We got the information after one of the suspect’s wives reported him to a neighbor who conveyed the messages to the chief,” Otieno said.
In addition, the minor’s mother has been summoned to record a statement with police at the Homa Bay police station.
“We took the girl to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical examination. The results will be used in court,” Otieno added.
Nevertheless, Homa Bay Sub-County police commander Sammy Koskei said investigations into the matter are ongoing.