A church elder has been arrested for allegedly molesting a form two student sexually at Wahambla Village in East Kanyada Location of Homa Bay Sub County.
The suspect was arrested after a manhunt when it emerged that he had repeatedly assaulted the teenager sexually for unspecified period.
Preliminary investigations into the incident indicated that the suspect had been sexually exploiting the student at local school until last week when matters came to the fore before the elder went missing on learning that he was being sought over the allegations.
Locals said the suspect whose age could not be ascertained by the time going to press after word went round that the police and the area chief were coming for him.
Officer Commanding Homa Bay Police Station (OCS) Zamdam Mkodo who confirmed the arrest said that the suspect had been sexually assaulting the minor by luring her with money.
Speaking to KNA, Mkodo said that upon interrogation, the minor confessed to the police that the suspect has been committing the heinous act and has been warning her not to reveal the matter to her parents or any other person.
The officer added that the minor further revealed that, every time the suspects met her, he gave her sh. 500 to allow him to commit the act.
The minor was taken to Homa bay County Referral Hospital for medical examination and later handed over to her parents after recording a statement.
The suspect is currently being held at Homa Bay Police Station waiting to be arraigned in court tomorrow.
By Godwine Ochieng and Davis Langat