A Kilifi pastor is in police custody on accusations of defiling, impregnating and later assisting a 15-year-old to procure an abortion.

The pastor, 27, reportedly defiled the Grade 5 pupil in September in Kilifi North Sub-county, and gave her abortion pills on Monday, November 18.

Police officers from Mastangoni Police Station arrested him on Saturday morning at the minor’s home.

It is believed that he was on a mission to talk to the girl’s parents about the matter.

According to the girl’s father, his daughter did not disclose the abuse to him or his mother until the time when she was procuring the abortion.

He said his wife called him on Monday afternoon and informed him about their daughter who was ill and rushed to a nearby private hospital.

“I was at work tapping wine when my wife called and told me that our daughter was having a severe stomachache, and when I arrived at the hospital, the doctor informed us that she was having a miscarriage,” he said.

Shocked and in disbelief, the doctor asked the daughter the person responsible for the pregnancy, and that is when she disclosed that it was her pastor.

The daughter revealed that in September, the pastor called her into his house around 8pm while his wife was away, and defiled her.

“The pastor warned my daughter not to tell anyone about the defilement and she did not speak until she went to hospital,” he said.

After defiling the girl, the pastor kept a distance from her until last week when she asked her if she had received her menses.

“My daughter told him (the pastor) that she had missed her periods for two months since October, and on Monday, he gave her the abortion pills,” he said.

The father had no money to pay the bill and approached the pastor.

Without hesitation, the pastor rushed to the private hospital and paid Sh2,000 for the girl’s treatment before she was referred to Mastangoni Health Center for further treatment.

“The pastor came and instructed some two women, his church members, to pay the bill,” he added.

The father of eight said he is not close to the pastor but disclosed that his wife and children go to the suspect’s church.

However, he said in December 2023, while the pastor was known and had established his church in the village, he offered him a portion of land to construct his house as he prepared to settle.

“The pastor had nowhere to stay, and he approached me for assistance. I gave him a portion to construct a house, and they stayed with his wife and child until November this year when he bought his land and moved out,” he said.

The father disclosed that a bishop from the pastor’s church arrived from Malindi with some church members to follow up on his arrest.

A volunteer child protection officer, Mr Nelson Maitha said the case was reported at Mastangoni police station on Friday, OB/13/29/11/2024.

By Saturday, 11am, the father and his daughter had recorded their statements with the police.

Kilifi North Sub-county Police Commander Mr Kenneth Maina confirmed the arrest and said the pastor would be arraigned on Monday.