Police in Mbita District have arrested a pastor suspected to have defiled and impregnated an orphaned girl under his care.
The cleric, who also doubles up as a director of the orphanage where the 16-year-old victim was staying, is set to appear in Homabay court today.
Officers from Mbita Police Station arrested the suspect, identified as Simon Ochieng Ochola, 30, following several complaints of child abuse at the St. Mackarias Orphanage in Gembe East Location, Mbita district.
The pastor is accused of committing the offence on diverse dates between the months of August and September last year.
The pastor is also alleged to have forced the girl to procure an abortion after defiling her during the period.
Area Police Boss, Cheruto Githinji, confirmed the incident and said the suspect would be charged with violating child rights as contained in the Children’s Act.
She said investigations have been launched to unravel the extent of the vice and number of accomplices involved.
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