Three church leaders have been charged in connection with an incident in which four children allegedly suffered burns during an exorcism ritual at St Abraham Israel Assemblies of God Church in Bondo, Siaya County.
The accused Gaudensia Juma, Steven Omondi and Clinton Obudho appeared before Bondo Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bondo Law Courts Magistrate Christabel Maiyo released Juma on a personal bond of Sh100,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000. Omondi and Obudho were each granted personal bonds of Sh300,000.
The court ordered the three accused not to interfere with prosecution witnesses or the parents of the affected children, warning that any breach of the conditions could lead to the cancellation of their bonds.
The case is scheduled for mention on October 26, 2026, according to a report by Citizen Digital.
The charges follow an incident at the church in which four minors allegedly sustained burns after being exposed to hot water during a religious ritual intended to drive away evil spirits.
Teacher’s report triggers investigations
The incident came to light after a teacher raised concerns when a five-year-old pupil arrived at school with burn injuries.
According to reports by The Star and the Kenya News Agency, the teacher alerted the authorities, prompting police and local administrators to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s injuries.
Investigators subsequently linked the injuries to a ritual allegedly conducted at the church, popularly known as Sayuni, in which children were reportedly subjected to a hot-water cleansing exercise.
Maranda Assistant County Commissioner Stephen Osoi said authorities moved to investigate after receiving the report, leading to the arrest of church officials and other individuals connected to the incident.
The investigation sought to establish how the children were injured, who was involved in the ritual and whether additional minors had been affected.
The allegations have raised serious concerns about the safety of children participating in religious activities and the responsibility of adults entrusted with their care.
Children allegedly scalded during ritual
Preliminary accounts cited by Kenyan media indicate that a mixture of substances boiled in water was allegedly used during the ritual, which was intended to remove evil spirits from the children.
The children, reported to be between three and six years old, sustained burns in circumstances that authorities were working to establish.
One of the cases was reported by a parent after the child returned home with injuries. The parent alleged that a church official had promised to meet the child’s medical expenses but later became unreachable.
Authorities subsequently sought to identify and locate the other affected children to ensure they received medical attention and were protected from further harm.
Earlier reports indicated that two children had been transferred to Kisumu for further treatment, while another had been treated and discharged. The full medical status of all four children had not been publicly confirmed in the latest court report.
Church ordered closed
Following the incident, local authorities ordered the indefinite closure of the church as investigations continued.
Officials said the action was intended to prevent further harm while the circumstances of the alleged ritual were investigated.
The case also drew attention to the role of parents, religious leaders and child-protection agencies in safeguarding minors during religious gatherings.
According to earlier reporting by Citizen Digital, the Israel Assemblies of God umbrella body said the church had only recently joined the denomination and that Clinton Obudho was not authorised to conduct ceremonial activities.
The denomination also indicated that it did not condone the misuse of religious practices and would cooperate with authorities.
The claims surrounding the church’s affiliation and the accused persons’ respective roles remain matters to be considered alongside the evidence presented in court.
Child protection at the centre of the case
The proceedings come as Kenya continues to grapple with concerns about harmful practices carried out under the guise of religious instruction or spiritual healing.
Children are particularly vulnerable because they depend on adults to make decisions about their health, safety and participation in activities that may expose them to physical harm.
Kenya’s Children Act, 2022, provides a legal framework for protecting children from abuse, neglect and other forms of harm. The Constitution also guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect and harmful cultural practices.
Where allegations of abuse arise, authorities are responsible for investigating the circumstances, ensuring that affected children receive appropriate care and determining whether criminal offences have been committed.
The Bondo case has highlighted the importance of prompt reporting by teachers, parents, health workers and other members of the community when a child presents with unexplained injuries.
Case to return to court
With the three church leaders released on bond, the prosecution is expected to pursue the case as investigations and court proceedings continue.
The court’s conditions are intended to protect witnesses and parents while allowing the case to proceed without interference.
The next mention, scheduled for October 26, is expected to provide an update on the progress of the proceedings.
The accused have denied the charges, and the allegations against them remain unproven. The court will determine the case on the basis of the evidence presented.
Meanwhile, the welfare and recovery of the four children remain central concerns as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
