Three people in Rarieda, Siaya County, suspected of being in connection with religious cults, have been arrested after refusing to take their sick children to the hospital.
The trio, Morris Aloo Oyusu, Elizabeth Awino Ochieng and Josephine Atieno Omollo, allege that taking their children to the hospital is against the teachings of the Christo Church.
According to Citizen Digital, the arrests were made on August 8 after an area chief, who public members had tipped off, contacted police after confirming the children's predicaments.
"After receiving a tip off from members of public, the Chief of East Asembo location visited the family of one David Owego who had been reported to have refused to take his extremely sick children to hospital as it was allegedly against his church (Christo Church) doctrines," a police report read.
"Police officers visited the home and established that four of his family members were extremely sick and did not seek medical attention."
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Elizabeth Owego, the wife of Owego, and three of her female children—ages 2, 4, and 6—were discovered in a weak condition.
Police next went to the residence of Joseph Omollo and discovered his wife Josephine and two sons, ages 2 and 6, in a comparable circumstance.
"Maurice Aloo Oyusu was arrested for offering basic education in an unregistered institution contrary to section 76 [1] [2] and section 92 [a] of basic education act while Elizabeth Awino and Josephine Atieno were arrested for willfully neglecting to take a sick child to a health facility contrary to section 16 (7) of the children act no. 29 of 2022," reads the police report.
Josephine's 2-year-old son was rushed to Madiany Hospital for treatment while her other child and of Elizabeth were placed in a nearby children's home.
"Josephine will be be charged once the child is discharged from hospital. More charges may be preferred once investigations are complete," said the police report.
