Bishop Joel Waweru of the Anglican Church of Kenya has been charged in court for sexually assaulting a woman by forcefully touching her breasts and attempting to kiss her.
The cleric committed the offence on different dates and different times in Lang’ata subcounty in Nairobi but he has been harassing the woman since 2018.
Prosecutor stated that Waweru, though married persistently made sexual advances to the woman, who is a church worker knowing or having reason to believe that she didn’t welcome such advances.
The court found that the reverend minister caused the woman to be demoted as the parish vicar and the archdiocesan to a vicar.
She was also transferred to another church and her salary deducted.
The congregation heard rumours about Bishop Joel Waweru’s carnal behaviour but he warned her to be quiet about it.
The woman claimed the Anglican Bishop once attempted to kiss her in the office; his wife walked in and did not notice anything.
On another day, the woman said she had a stain on her blouse. Bishop Joel Waweru came to her office and indecently f0ndled her breasts where the stain was, which made her feel uncomfortable and uneasy.
Waweru openly told her that she was beautiful and liked her.
The police charge sheet revealed that in another instance, the Bishop summoned her in front of elders of the church and lied about her calling them ‘ihii’ (meaning uncircumcised men).
The woman to the court that she felt embarrassed, emotionally frustrated and insecure.
Bishop Waweru pleaded not guilty to the accusations and pleaded for a lenient bond terms.
The court granted him Sh50,000 bail and directed that the matter be heard again in two weeks time.
SOURCE: Kasatintin.com
