Pastor said to have defiled and killed minor arrested

The suspect had been hiding at Kwoyo Legio Maria church in Mapera area in Suna East sub-County, Migori county. [iStockphoto]

A pastor accused of defiling and killing a 10-year-old girl in Rangwe, Homa-Bay County was arrested in Migori County.

According to police reports, the suspect had been hiding at Kwoyo Legio Maria church in Mapera area in Suna East sub-County, Migori county.

Migori county commander Mark Wanjala confirmed the arrest and said the police acted on a tip-off from a Legio Maria cardinal who led them to the suspect's hideout.

"We arrested the man at around 8am on November 22 at Kwoyo, Legio Maria church. It is the Legio Maria people who discovered that he ran away and was hiding in the church," Wanjala said.

The suspect, who is 18 years old, was escorted to Migori Police Station and was later transferred to Rangwe Police Station. Wanjala said he would be charged with murder.

The suspect reportedly defiled the girl at Kamuombo village, Kamenya sub-location in Rangwe sub-County in a maize plantation about two weeks ago.

The minor met the ordeal when she returned a bucket they had borrowed from a neighbour who had been hosting the suspect.

On arrival at the woman's house, she found the suspect with the woman in the house. When the girl left to return to her home, the suspect followed her.

He allegedly got hold of her on the way and forced her into a maize plantation where he defiled her.

The man is said to have strangled her in the plantation.

A passerby who heard her cries informed the woman whom she had given the bucket.

The woman informed her parents who took her to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital where she died while undergoing treatment.

Area Assistant Chief Lilian Ombai said the suspect was not a resident of the area.