The Israel Assemblies of God Church (AIGC) has distanced itself from an alleged exorcism exercise at its St. Abraham Ogago branch in Bondo Sub-County, Siaya County, after four children reportedly sustained serious burns during the incident.
The church’s leadership has condemned the alleged actions, which led to the arrest of three branch leaders following claims that a five-year-old boy was scalded with boiling water in an attempt to cast out demons.
Archbishop James Otieno Okwach said the practice was not part of the church’s teachings, insisting that AIGC had never conducted exorcism since it was established in 1963.
He said the incident involved individual members of the branch, which had recently joined AIGC from another church known as Sayuni.
Okwach expressed concern over the incident, saying it had tarnished the church’s reputation. He pledged the church’s cooperation with police as investigations continue and called for justice for the affected children and their families.
The archbishop also cautioned against individuals who may exploit religious institutions to justify harmful acts, emphasising that churches should provide spiritual guidance and comfort rather than subject vulnerable people to abuse.
The matter came to light on Thursday after a teacher reported the five-year-old boy to Bondo Police Station upon discovering that he had suffered burns over a large part of his body.
Police launched investigations and subsequently traced and rescued three other children who allegedly underwent similar treatment.
All four children are receiving medical care at different health facilities as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the roles played by those implicated.
Three church leaders and the boy’s mother remain in police custody as investigations proceed.
The incident has renewed concerns over child protection and the safety of minors in religious settings, particularly where alleged spiritual interventions may expose them to physical harm.
Authorities are expected to pursue the investigations to determine what happened and whether those arrested bear criminal responsibility. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been determined in court.
