A pastor allegedly eloped with a female student after conducting a prayer service for form fours at Ngererit secondary school in Bomet County.
According to a police report, the pastor was last seen boarding a Boda boda with the student at Mogogosiek trading center.
The report by Konoin police station states that the two disappeared into a dusty murram road without further trace.
While confirming the incident, Bomet County education director Leonard Ngugi, stated that his department had reported the issue to the area OCS.
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Nonetheless, further reports indicated that the pastor and the student crossed over to the neighboring Narok County.
Ngugi called on the police to hasten investigations and find the suspect and student, adding that she should be brought back to school and prepare for her final Secondary School examination.
“We are hoping that the police are making their effort to nab them wherever they are so that the parents are handed over their child to proceed with her education. It’s unfortunate that the student should now be revising for her national exams,” Ngugi said.
Additionally, Bomet County Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chair Stephen Kosgei called on school administrations to be cautious of the visitors interacting with students.
Nevertheless, the female student and the pastor’s whereabouts are yet to be established.
Law on Defilement
According to the Sexual Offences Act, a person who commits an act which causes penetration with a child is guilty of an offence termed defilement.
Further, a person who commits an offence of defilement with a child aged eleven years or less shall upon conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
In addition, a person who commits an offence of defilement with a child between the age of twelve and fifteen years is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years.
Again, a person who commits an offence of defilement with a child between the age of sixteen and eighteen years is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than fifteen years.