The recent arrest of a Bomet preacher who eloped with a 17-year-old girl has come to light with details of the police operation that led to their apprehension.
The preacher, identified as Kipkoech Rotich, had been invited to deliver a sermon at Ngererit Secondary School in Bomet.
Following his sermon, Rotich, a 25-year-old pastor, reportedly eloped with the teenage girl, who is a form four student at the school.
The duo was last spotted at Mogogosiek trading center, where they boarded a bodaboda, leaving their destination unknown.
The girl’s disappearance was reported to the Mogogosiek Police Station, prompting authorities to initiate a search.
Bomet County Education Director, Leonard Ngugi, expressed concern for the student’s welfare and academic progress, hoping that the police would swiftly locate her.
“We are hoping that the police are making their effort to nab them wherever they are so that the parents are handed over their child to proceed with her education. It’s unfortunate that the student should now be revising for her national exams,” Ngugi said.
After a series of unsuccessful attempts to locate the preacher and the minor, a breakthrough occurred in Kisii.
Drivers from the Five Star Matatu SACCO alerted the police upon spotting the pastor and the girl together.
Suspecting the preacher’s motives, the drivers quickly tipped off the police.
Acting on the information provided by the matatu drivers, law enforcement agents intercepted the preacher and the minor while they were boarding another vehicle en route to Kisumu.
The police took them into custody and transported them to Nyanchwa police station.
Among the details that detectives working on the matter will be keen to establish is the pastor’s mission and intention when he left with the minor.
