BOMET, Kenya — A Catholic priest and the mother of a teenage boy appeared in court on Wednesday, accused of assaulting the 14-year-old within church grounds.
The incident is said to have taken place on 2 September in Bomet County. The boy, a Grade 8 pupil, was allegedly attacked at the parish compound, though the circumstances remain unclear.
In an unusual twist, the boy’s mother was also charged. Prosecutors claim she took part in the assault of her own son, though details of her alleged role are yet to be explained in court.
The two stood before Chief Magistrate Esther Boke, where both denied the charges. They were released on cash bail of 150,000 shillings each.
The case will return to court on 16 September for mention, when magistrates are expected to decide whether the matter proceeds to a full hearing and whether more witnesses will be summoned.
The case has unsettled many in the community. Locals have expressed disbelief that a clergyman and a parent could be linked to such allegations.
Child rights groups have called for a thorough investigation. “This matter must be handled with sensitivity and urgency to ensure justice for the minor,” one advocate told reporters outside the courthouse.
Church officials have not yet issued an official statement.
For now, the teenager at the centre of the case remains unnamed to protect his identity. The legal process is only just beginning, but the involvement of both a priest and a parent has already stirred sharp debate in Bomet — a community grappling with questions of trust, responsibility, and protection of the most vulnerable.
About the Author
