Preacher accused of raping pregnant woman out on Sh1 million bond

A Nyeri cleic arrested in connection with gang rape of a reportedly pregnant woman, who in the process suffered a miscarriage, has been released by a Nyeri court on Sh1 million bond.

The 44-year-old African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) preacher, Joseph Muraguri, is jointly accused of raping the woman on January 6 within Ruring’u estate in Nyeri Town.

Other suspects are still at large.

The probation office says Muraguri, represented by lawyer Wahome Gikonyo, is fit to stand trial.

The suspect has been in police custody since he was arrested on January 12 after the police requested for more time to carry out further investigations.

The man of cloth appeared before Resident Magistrate Maisi Chesang. He denies the charges as detectives intensify the search for his accomplice.

Despite opposition for his release on bond by the prosecution, the court went by the pre-bail report from the probation office given that majority of those interviewed had no objection.

The magistrate said as per the report, the accused had numerous support from his community as well as followers and thus not a flight risk nor a threat to the ongoing case.

His lawyer Gikonyo asked to be supplied with a copy of the charge sheet and witness statements as he accused the police of laxity in supplying him with the documents.

The case will be mentioned on March 13.