Priest narrates to court how he suspended catechist

A Catholic priest yesterday recounted to an Eldoret court how he suspended a volunteer catechist from duty for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl.

The Reverend Father Joram Ng’ang’a of Majengo Church Parish, told Justice Nelson Abuodho he took administrative action against Albert Nyamu after the victim’s mother reported to him what he had allegedly done to her daughter.

“When the minor’s mother reported, I convened an elders' meeting in the church and we summoned the minor and the accused,” said Fr Ng’ang’a.

Nyamu has filed a case at the Labour and Employment Court in Eldoret, where he sued the Parish for wrongful dismissal over what he termed framed-up charges.

Ng’ang’a told the judge he had assigned Nyamu to teach catechism class to the children at the Parish every Saturday.

“I suspended the catechist after a complaint was raised against him by one of the worshipers, who alleged that he had defiled her daughter,” said Fr Ng’ang’a.

He said he had already received blessings of acting Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Maurice Crowley on the basis of the decision he took.

Ng’ang’a said Nyamu did not deserve any compensation from the church for the period he served as a volunteer because he had no contract.

Nyamu, however, denied the claims, saying the victim’s mother framed him.

“I'm married and even conducted my wedding in the church. There was no way I could have defiled the minor in my house within the church compound,” said Nyamu.