How pastor eloped with high school girl

When he offered to accompany them to their daughter's school for prayer day, Mercy Chepkirui's parents never suspected anything untoward.

But the last week has been hell for the family after Pastor Kipkemboi Rotich, whom they did not know was a false prophet who came to them in sheep's skin, eloped with the 17-year-old Form Four student.

According to her parents, the girl, who goes to a school in Konoin, Bomet County, disappeared after the school prayer day. Witnesses say they last saw him at a petrol station in the company of the girl before boarding a car together.

In an interview with The Nairobian at their home in Ngererit village, her father, David Tonui called on the police to help trace, adding he was worried about the health and safety of his firstborn girl who he says suffers from blood pressure.

"She has a health condition and she is on drugs for blood pressure and we fear that she may be mistreated at the hands of the evangelist," he said.

Tonui said he is yet to understand how the evangelist was able to convince his daughter to elope with him.

He says on the fateful day, the preacher accompanied the family and later joined them at home for a prayer to thank God.

"He led a brief prayer before he excused himself and left," said Mr Tonui, adding that neighbours spotted him at another neighbour's home where he held another prayer session before leaving at around 7 pm. This is the time he passed through his home where he picked the girl.

"I arrived home at 8 pm and was told that my girl had stepped out and did not return. I immediately went to the home of one of her close friends in the neighbourhood and she told me they boarded a bike with the pastor," he said.

Tonui said he called associates of the pastor in the village and all of them tried reaching him but his phone had been switched off.

He said his wife was one of Pastor Kipkemboi's followers, who always attended his bible teachings."The preacher arrived in our village recently and mobilised women to give them bible teachings. We raised concerns as elders and community leaders but we were dismissed that we were trying to politicise God's work. It is sad I have become a victim," he said.

Fast-track investigations

Tonui asked the police to fast-track investigations and trace the daughter to enable her to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in November.

"My only wish is to have my girl brought back to sit for exams. She is a bright girl and I was confident that she would attain university entry grades," he said.

He added: "I knew she would be a light for my family since she was a firstborn. We have reported to the police and they have promised to help us trace the girl and bring the suspect to book."

Tonui, however, is concerned that the officers are slow with their investigations.

Bomet County Director of Education Leonard Ngungi said the act was a criminal offence.

"We are aware and we are working with security agencies to ensure that the girl is taken back to school," he said, asking locals to cooperate with the police.

The school management said they were shocked to learn about the disappearance of the girl."We are shocked that the incident happened to one of our students and we pray that the suspect is brought to book," said a school official, who did not wish to be named.

Konoin Sub County Police Commander Tom Achiya confirmed the incident, saying a report was recorded by the parents.

Achiya said they have activated their mechanisms to trace the girl.

He said the investigation is focused on Narok County where the pastor hails from.

When the evangelist landed in Ngererit village three weeks ago, a section of residents celebrated and welcomed him with open arms.

The unsuspecting residents accommodated him in turns as he moved from house to house preaching God's word. Little did they know that he was a criminal who had disguised himself as a man of God.

Members of Nyumba Kumi, who spoke to The Nairobian, said they questioned the activities of the evangelist but his followers, most of them women who had been brainwashed to believe he was actually out to change the society, dismissed them. Other members said they were happy that he was fearless and confronting societal issues such as drinking alcohol head-on and converting drunkards to religion.

Agnes Too says she had hoped he will pray for her husband to quit drinking.