In a case that has sent shockwaves through Othaya Town, a local cleric appeared in court on Monday to face allegations of systematic sexual abuse involving 12 minors. Sheikh Ustadh Eid Ali stood before the magistrate as investigators detailed a disturbing pattern of exploitation carried out under the guise of religious instruction.
Accusations of Psychological Manipulation
The prosecution revealed that the cleric allegedly abused both boys and girls through acts including sodomy, defilement, and other sex-related crimes. A report from the Othaya Sub-County Children’s Office paints a grim picture of how the suspect allegedly coerced his victims.
According to the report, the cleric manipulated the children by distorting religious doctrines to ensure their silence.
“The sheikh was misdirecting the children psychologically by twisting the doctrines…that whoever discloses his deeds would go to hell and whoever keeps his secret will go to heaven,” the document reads.
The investigation further revealed that one teenage boy had reportedly suffered abuse for four years. The report noted that the minor was just 13 when the ordeal began and believed the cleric’s actions were “motivated by the fact that he (the sheikh) did not have a wife.”
Children who dared to resist his advances reportedly faced brutal physical punishment, including being beaten with pipes.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The alleged crimes took place at the Sheikh’s residence within the mosque compound during madrassa sessions between 2022 and 2025. After parents reported the matter to the Othaya Police Station, the suspect fled but was eventually tracked down and arrested on February 20, 2026, in Kajiado County.
In court, the accused attempted to defend himself against the timeline of the crimes rather than the custodial request.
“The document presented to me by the DCI shows that I committed the crimes last year, some even in November, but if there are any crimes after September, I do not know about them. I am not guilty of such,” Ali claimed.
The magistrate quickly intervened, reminding the suspect that the session focused solely on the detective’s request to hold him during the ongoing investigation.
“As an officer of the court, I am asking you to stop because I only need you to respond to the detective’s request that he continue holding you as they investigate. Any other issues will be discussed in the course of the suit.”
Investigating officer Hanafi Hamza argued against the cleric’s release, citing his status as a person of authority and a significant flight risk. Hamza noted that the suspect previously worked in Tanzania and Malindi before arriving in Nyeri in 2022.
“I am apprehensive that the respondent might interfere with the victims because he is a person of authority. He is also a flight risk,” Hamza told the court. Police are currently gathering medical reports, birth certificates, and additional statements from parents and victims.
The court granted the 10-day detention request to ensure a thorough investigation and to protect the security of the cleric himself. He remains in custody until his scheduled plea-taking on March 3, 2026.