Pastor Faces Backlash for Alleged Sexual Harassment of Followers

Police in Kisii are searching for a pastor affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) church, who is accused of molesting a 10-year-old fourth-grade student in the Kiogoro area of Nyaribari Chache constituency on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

The child, reportedly sent by her mother to deliver breakfast prepared for the pastor, was allegedly sexually assaulted by the “servant of God” residing in the church.

“It was reported by Kwamboka (not her real name), a resident of Riang’ombenene village, Amariba Location, that she sent her daughter to deliver breakfast to Pastor Duke Morang’a of Nyabonda PAG around 7:30 am. Upon arriving at the church, the pastor directed her to his residence within the church premises, where it is alleged he undressed and molested her,” part of the police report seen by Taifa Leo Digital said.

After the incident, the pastor is said to have wiped the child’s thighs with a towel, given her a Sh5 coin, and then left her.

When she returned home, she informed her mother about the ordeal. The mother reported the matter to the Kiogoro police station, prompting officers to investigate the case.

Swiftly, they went to the pastor’s residence, but he was not found as he had reportedly fled to an unknown location.

“We are still searching for the suspect, and it won’t be long before we apprehend him from his hiding place,” Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kases told Taifa Leo Digital over the phone.

The victim was taken to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) for medical examinations.

Police found a towel believed to have been used to wipe the girl’s thighs and a thermos of tea in a one-liter flask during their investigation.

This incident comes just one week after another rape case was reported in the Magena area, Bomachoge Borabu constituency.

Mark Okemwa Manono, 30, was arraigned in court last week for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl on January 20, 2024, at the Magena trading center.

The incident drew reactions from the wife of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Mrs. Dorcas Rigathi, who was visiting Kisii at the time, along with Kisii Governor Simba Arati, both urging relevant authorities to expedite the handling of the matter.