A bishop and a chief from Iltiral village in Loitoktok Sub County were on Wednesday arrested for abetting the marriage of a 15-years-old girl.
Bishop Thomas Mpatai and chief of Olorika location Joseph Lekurrukule were arrested after facilitating marriage of Beatrice Semeiyani.
Kajiado Central Assistant County Commissioner Patrick Burure led the rescue team that carried out the operation which included security personel, officers from departments of Children and Education and staff from Shokut Naretoi Community Development Program, an NGO dealing with children.
Burure also summoned area Early Childhood Development and Education Co-ordinator, Isaac Kipaa for also taking part in the marriage after failing to find him in his office.
According to Burure last year the girl was a pupil at Shokut primary school in grade five when she got pregnant.
The girl is under guardian of her grandmother, Esupat Seketeti who was also arrested, after the passing away of her mother and she was left with an elderly father, Lesaloi Lesidai.
The girl was to resume schooling after giving birth this year however secretly the father among others arranged for her marriage to Joshua Dikolo, 25, a brother to the ECDE coordinator.
According to Burure, a fundraiser for her dowry and wedding was arranged three weeks ago with the full knowledge of area chief and also the bishop in whose church the fundraising was announced.
After getting information of the girl being taken to her suitor’s home at Iltilal village this week on Monday, the rescue team initiated the arrest of all those involved.
However, the husband to the girl is at large after the team found he had taken herds of cattle to Chyulu hills and the father of the girl was not at home.
After the arrest the culprits were taken to Loitoktok police station where they were charged with the offence and will be arraigned in court on Thursday.
A search for the father of the 4-month-old infant identified by the girl as Jackson, her husband and the father of the girl has been launched
The girl was taken to Loitoktok Sub County hospital for medical examination before being escorted to Divinity Foundation Rescue centre.
