Catholic priest denies defiling minor

The trial of a case in which Catholic priest is charged with indecent assault and defilement of a 17-year-old schoolgirl will begin on May 16.

The suspect Fr Evans Songhai alias Songi, a priest initially stationed at Musoli Catholic parish in Kakamega South sub-county will face his accusers in May when the hearing starts.

Songhai denied two counts that of indecent assault and defilement before a Kakamega magistrate’s court.

The court on Tuesday freed Songhai on a bond of Sh200,000 with one surety or a cash bail of Sh20,000.

“I am a priest, I did not commit the offence on the said date or with the girl,” he stated after the charge was read to him.

The prosecution alleges that he committed the offence in Malaha area, within Navakholo sub-county.

The particulars of charges state that on September 24 and 25 last year at Malaha area within Navakholo sub-county in Kakamega county, jointly with others not in court, he intentionally and unlawfully defiled the 17-year-old, a former student of Musoli Girls High School.

The prosecutor Leina Davies did not object to the accused being released on bond.

The magistrate directed and fixed May 16 as the hearing date.