This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
On Tuesday, a minor testified against Pastor Patrick Ambani of the African Divine Church at the Kibera law courts, alleging that he defiled her over a period of three years.
The abuse started in 2015 when Pastor Ambani visited the minor's grandmother's house, where she lived alone. According to the minor, the pastor asked to watch a movie, but instead, he began touching her sexually.
'He touched my chest and lifted me up onto his lap where he continued caressing me. I was totally confused and scared,' the minor testified.
Over the next three years, the minor said she suffered in silence as Pastor Ambani continued to visit her grandmother's house and defile her. She also alleged that he forced her to visit his house, where he would defile her.
The minor's grandmother testified that she had been informed by her neighbours that they suspected Pastor Ambani of defiling the child. She took the girl to Nairobi Women's Hospital, where she was treated, and also filed a report at Kabete Police Station, leading to the suspect's arrest.
Pastor Ambani is accused of committing one offence on July 14, 2018, at the grandmother's house in Nairobi. He has been in police cells for a month after being unable to raise Sh300,000 bail.
Magistrate Barbara Ojoo denied the pastor's request to lower his cash bail and directed that the hearing continues next month.
