Cleric held after rape of 4 girls in Jomvu church

The pastor is said to have fled when residents threatened to storm the church and lynch him. [Courtesy]

Police are holding the pastor of a Pentecostal church in Jomvu after reports he sexually assaulted four girls under his care.

The 43-year-old cleric was arrested on Sunday in Kanaona village where he had gone into hiding following the incidents between August 21 and 23.

A medical report from Port Reitz Hospital confirmed the children, aged between four and eight, had been sexually assaulted.

Police said the pastor was the children’s Sunday school teacher and also instructed them in martial arts.

The assault was discovered after a parent noticed her daughter walking with difficulty. Upon inquiry, the girl said she had been raped inside the church.

After medics confirmed that the girl had been assaulted, an investigation was conducted that revealed there were more victims.

Other victims

The pastor is said to have fled when residents threatened to storm the church and lynch him.

Jomvu police boss James Mutua yesterday said the suspect was yet to be arraigned.

“We have extended our investigations because we want to establish if the suspect has been doing this for long, and whether there are other victims. We urge anyone with information to come forward,” said Mr Mutua.

Separately, bhang worth Sh5 million was impounded in Mombasa on Sunday night, less than 48 hours after seven suspects, including a female police officer, were arrested in Mombasa and Kwale counties with cocaine and heroin worth Sh18 million.

Mutua said police officers guarding officials who are carrying out the census came across a truck parked by the roadside. On inspection, they discovered 90kg of bhang.

Police arrested a 27-year-old man as other suspects escaped on foot.