A Deliverance Church cleric in Ikonge, Nyamira North is in police custody after he was caught red-handed sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Grade Eight pupil inside the very church where he preached.
The suspect, Meshack Mutemi, 42, is alleged to have lured the minor into the church before locking the doors and switching off the lights, turning a place of worship into a chilling crime scene.
Residents say they became suspicious after spotting the pastor walking with the girl into the building and never coming out. A local administrator who responded to the alert said both church entrances were locked from inside, raising alarm.
“We called out but no one responded. We had to call the pastor’s wife, who came and helped us access the church,” the administrator said.
Inside, the scene was horrifying. The minor was discovered hiding in a water drum — visibly wet, frightened, and showing signs of sexual abuse, including the presence of semen.
Mutemi was immediately arrested by officers from Ikonge Police Station and is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday to face charges of defilement.
The incident has sparked fury among locals, who are demanding justice and questioning how many other cases may be hidden under the cloth of religious authority.
“This is not just a crime. It’s a betrayal of trust, faith, and the community. We must protect our daughters,” said a women’s rights activist in Nyamira.
Child protection groups have since called for urgent medical and psychological support for the survivor, and warned of growing cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in religious institutions.
Authorities have launched further investigations and are urging members of the public to come forward with any relevant information.
