Six church leaders were arrested by police officers for allegedly killing a member of the congregation for failing to attend a prayer service.
The victim, Charles Omwaye, is alleged to have been assaulted by Legio Maria leaders at his Kayamo Home in Homa Bay County.
Mr Omwaye died while undergoing treatment at the Rachuonyo South Hospital.
According to area chief Joel Omwenga, the six church leaders arrived at the home of the deceased on Friday night and found the 64-year-old man in bed.
[caption caption="A congregation of Legio Maria Sect"]
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One of the elders claimed to have been directed by the ‘Holy Spirit’ to the room where the late Omwaye was sleeping and ordered to beat him up.
“The information we have is that the clergymen stated they had been led by the spirit to hit the old man because he was sleeping while prayers were going on,” area chief Mr Omwenga stated.
Mr Omwange further revealed that the deceased and his second wife had differences after she left the Catholic Church in favor of Legio Maria, which was influencing his Form Two son to drop out of school.
The Chief further stated that it was alarming that the second wife and the son never raised alarm when the late Omwaye was being beaten.
However, neighbours came to the rescue after their class seven daughter screamed attracting their attention.
County police boss Marius Tum confirmed the arrest of the six church elders, his wife and a priest of the church.
[caption caption="File image of police carrying a body from a previous crime scene"]
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