Church Leaders Arrested After Four Children Suffer Burns During Alleged Exorcism

Police have arrested four suspects after four children suffered burns during an alleged exorcism ritual at St Abraham Sayuni Church in Bondo, Siaya County.

The incident came to light after a teacher noticed that a five-year-old pupil had arrived at school with burns and reported the matter to the authorities.

Police subsequently launched investigations to establish how the child sustained the injuries and whether other children had suffered similar harm.

Among those arrested are a pastor, a deacon, a church mother and the mother of one of the injured children.

Meanwhile, investigators accused the mother of failing to report the incident and attempting to conceal what had happened.

How the Alleged Exorcism Left Four Children With Burns

According to the investigators, the pastor and church mother denied being present during the service but acknowledged that the church practised exorcism to drive away evil spirits.

The two reportedly told investigators that the practice involved a special mixture of herbs boiled in hot water and a red candle known as “Mikael”.

Investigators are now seeking to establish how the children sustained their burns and whether other people took part in the alleged ritual.

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Meanwhile, Caren Achieng, the mother of one of the injured children, said she had taken her Grade Two son to the church for spiritual healing.

She alleged that church members poured hot water on him near a cross.

Achieng later noticed injuries on her son’s back, where the skin appeared to peel off.

Authorities Warn Church Leaders as Probe Continues

Following the report, police detained the four suspects as investigations continued.

Authorities were also searching for three other children, two girls and a boy, who were reportedly believed to be in Nyenye Beach in Usigu Sub-County and the Migwena area of South Sakwa.

Assistant County Commissioner for Maranda Stephen Osoi warned religious leaders against practices that put people’s lives at risk.

“I just want to warn any other church leaders. These churches are not meant to kill our people. They are places of worship, do not turn them into slaughterhouses,” he said.

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In addition to the arrests, authorities directed the closure of St Abraham Sayuni Church as investigators pursued further leads.

The investigation seeks to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged ritual and establish whether more children were affected.

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Photo of a police Vehicle. PHOTO/ NPS