Three people have been arrested in connection to a suspected religious cult with roots in Rarieda, Siaya County.
The trio, Morris Aloo Oyusu, Elizabeth Awino Ochieng and Josephine Atieno Omollo, were apprehended by police for, among other things, willfully neglecting to take their sick children to hospital since it allegedly went against the teachings of the Christo Church.
The arrests were made on August 8 after an area chief, who had been tipped off by members of the public, contacted police after confirming the children’s predicaments.
“After receiving a tip off from members of public, the Chief of East Asembo location visited the family of one David Owego who had been reported to have refused to take his extremely sick children to hospital as it was allegedly against his church (Christo Church) doctrines,” a police report seen by Citizen Digital reads in part.
“Police officers visited the home and established that four of his family members were extremely sick and did not seek medical attention.”
Owego’s wife, Elizabeth and three of her female children aged 2, 4 and 6 years were found in a debilitated state.
Police then visited the home of one Joseph Omollo where they found his wife Josephine and two sons aged 2 and 6 in a similar situation.
“Maurice Aloo Oyusu was arrested for offering basic education in an unregistered institution contrary to section 76 [1] [2] and section 92 [a] of basic education act while Elizabeth Awino and Josephine Atieno were arrested for willfully neglecting to take a sick child to a health facility contrary to section 16 (7) of the children act no. 29 of 2022,” reads the police report.
Josephine’s 2-year-old son was rushed to Madiany Hospital for treatment while her other child and those of Elizabeth were placed in a nearby children’s home.
“Josephine will be be charged once the child is discharged from hospital. More charges may be preferred once investigations are complete,” said the police report. BY CITIZEN DIGITAL