BONDO, Kenya – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged three people over the alleged operation of an unregistered religious society and offences involving three minors, including claims that children suffered severe burns during a purported exorcism ritual.
Gaudencia Juma Otieno, alias Church Mother; Stephen Omondi Otieno, alias Pastor; and Clinton Owour Obudho, alias Deacon Daudi, appeared before Bondo Law Courts in Siaya County to answer charges relating to the alleged unlawful management of St. Abraham Israel Assemblies of God Church, also known as St. Abraham Sayuni.
The prosecution alleges that the three operated the society at Ogago Village, Barkowino Sub-location, Bondo Sub-county, on October 4, 2026, without registration or exemption.
Prosecution Counsel Edwin Nyakundi told the court that the alleged conduct contravened Section 5, as read with Section 4(1), of the Societies Act, Cap. 108 of the Laws of Kenya.
The accused denied the charges before Resident Magistrate Chepchirchir Christabel Maiyo.
Accused Faces Additional Charges Over Burns
Obudho faces additional charges of grievous harm, contrary to Section 234 of the Penal Code, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251.
The prosecution alleges that he poured hot water on three minors under the guise of conducting an exorcism or “deliverance” ritual.
Two of the children are reportedly hospitalised with severe burns.
The allegations were presented before the court, and the accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Court Grants Bond To Three Accused
The court granted Otieno a bond of Sh100,000, with an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000.
Omondi Otieno and Obudho were each granted bond of Sh300,000, with the court declining to provide a cash bail alternative for the two.
The case concerns both the alleged operation of an unregistered society and the alleged harm inflicted on the minors, with the accused facing separate charges before the Bondo court.
