Bondo church leaders charged over burning of four minors during alleged exorcism

Three church leaders accused of involvement in the burning of four minors during an alleged exorcism ritual at St. Abraham Israel Assemblies of God Church in Bondo, Siaya County, have been released on bond.

The three, Gaudensia Juma, Steven Omondi and Clinton Obudho, appeared before Bondo Law Courts Magistrate Christabel Maiyo, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The court released Juma on a personal bond of Ksh.100,000 or an alternative cash bail of Ksh.50,000, while Omondi and Obudho were each granted personal bonds of Ksh.300,000.

Magistrate Maiyo directed the accused persons not to interfere with prosecution witnesses or the parents of the affected minors, warning that any violation of the orders would result in the cancellation of their bonds.

The charges stem from an incident at the Bondo-based church in which four children sustained burns during a religious exercise allegedly intended to expel demons.

The incident prompted police investigations that led to the arrest and subsequent arraignment of the three church leaders.

The case will be mentioned on October 26, 2026.