Residents of Bomet County have expressed outrage following the alleged assault of a 14-year-old boy by a priest, which left him hospitalised with serious injuries.
The victim, who is in Grade 8, has been admitted to a local hospital, where he is recovering from the ordeal.
According to reports, the boy had been living with the priest at his residence within the church at the time of the incident.
Videos and images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed residents gathering around the scene on Wednesday, where the boy could be seen lying on the ground and writhing in pain.
Efforts by concerned locals to help the boy get to his feet and to the hospital were, however, futile due to the excessive pain he was experiencing.
Moments later, however, they managed to find a motorbike to take him to a nearby hospital for assessment and subsequent treatment.
According to his father, the boy was beaten for an undisclosed mistake. The priest’s identity has not yet been made public.
The father described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that his son had often spent time at the parish.
Medical officers at hospital where the teenager was taken, confirmed that he had visible injuries.
One of the doctors said that he had injuries to his head and hands, as well as blood clots in his eyes.
“He was in a bad state, with soft tissue injuries on the head and redness in the eyes. He received first aid and is now under close medical supervision. His condition is stable, but he is still recovering,” the medic said.
The incident has sparked anger among residents, many of whom are accusing the priest of abusing his position of trust. Villagers have demanded that the authorities swiftly investigate the assault and ensure justice for the boy.
Local community leaders and parents have also condemned the assault, urging the church to intervene and hold the clergyman accountable.
They have warned that such incidents could erode the trust that parishioners place in religious leaders.
