On May 29, 2022, a disturbing incident shook the community in Kaptimbor village, at the outskirts of Kabarnet town in Baringo County. A man, identified as Joseph Mduma, allegedly burned three school boys for stealing a Sh80 packet of cakes at his bakery.
Deliverance Church, where Mduma was reportedly a worshiper, has denied any connection to the suspect. Reverend John Sawe, the Kerio sub-region overseer, stated that Mduma was not a pastor but had worshiped at the church in the past before leaving.
Reverend Sawe condemned the incident, describing the punishment meted out on the minors as inhuman and against the church's norms and virtues. He emphasized that all Deliverance Church clerics have identification cards and are known by the public.
"We are saddened by the reports that some boys were burned over accusations of theft and we condemn the incident with the strongest terms possible," Reverend Sawe said.
Deliverance Church's Kabarnet branch also denied any connection to Mduma, stating that he was only a pianist at the church before leaving. Pastor Henry Kipng'ok emphasized that the church has procedures for ordaining ministers and that Mduma was not one of them.
The suspects, Mduma and his casual worker Daniel Cherop, are accused of burning the three minors for allegedly stealing the Sh80 packet of cakes. The victims, including a standard eight candidate, are recuperating at the Baringo County Referral Hospital with serious burn injuries.
