The rot in society is evident when Bishops, priests and pastors are every now and then involved in some of the worst scandals especially around sexual assault. What do think is the reason religious leaders are involved in assault cases?
A Kisumu bishop has today been sentenced to 75 years in jail after he was convicted of defiling three girls at an orphanage and infecting one of them with HIV.
In the suit, Bishop Joseph Agutu was accused of committing the crime against the girls aged 14 and 15 years between April and July 2016 at Kachok area within the county.
According to court records, the accused touched the girls inappropriately on various dates between April and July 12, 2016.
On the fourth count, the accused having had knowledge that he was infected with HIV intentionally and wilfully had unprotected sexual intercourse with one of the minors thus infecting her with the life-threatening disease.
While giving her ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Pauline Mbulika noted that the prosecution had proven its case against the accused on all the four counts. She further said that from the evidence given in court by one of the witnesses, it was clear that the accused had unprotected sex with the minor on five occasions.
“I find the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and I hereby convict on count four against him,” stated the magistrate.
“I hereby find him guilty of all the offences and counts against him,” ruled Mbulika.
In his defence, the clergyman claimed the charges were fabricated and that the girls used his phone to communicate with their boyfriends while he was away. He added that there was no proof that he is the one who got one of the victims infected with HIV.
Agutu was jailed 20 years each for the three accounts and 15 years for the fourth account.
He has been given 14 days to appeal.
Lawyer Steve Akoko said he will appeal the whole judgement and check whether there was full compliance with the law during the trial.