Othaya Imam accused of sexually abusing 12 minors, DCI investigates

The court in Othaya has granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations 10 days to complete investigations into a matter where an Imam is accused of sexually abusing 12 minors during madrasa classes.

It is alleged that on diverse dates between the year 2022 and November 2025, Sheikh Ustadh Eid Koitet Ali lured his madrasa students of between the age of 5 to 14 years into committing indecent acts with him.

At the time, the suspect was employed as Imam at Othaya Community Muslim Mosque.

According to a report compiled by Othaya subcounty Children Officer Susan Wambui, the sheikh is said to have enticed the minors using sweets, biscuits and cakes and he would later force them to perform oral sex on him or sexually abuse the children by sodomising them.

The report also details how Ali threatened his victims, saying that whoever revealed what had transpired would go to hell, while those who kept the secret would secure a place in heaven.

In one of the confessions, two female victims abused on separate days, revealed that the cleric had promised to marry them and set up businesses for them after they had completed their education.

They had also been warned against disclosing the matter to their parents.

While appearing before Principal Magistrate Sandra Ogot, DCI officer Hanafi Hamza informed the court he needed more time to complete his investigations.

“Your honour, I am yet to record statements from some of the victims and obtain their medical reports, P3 and Pre-hospital Care Report forms. I have also not obtained birth certificates of the minors and I have not recorded some of the parents’ statements,” Hamza told the court.

The detective also expressed his reservations about releasing the suspect on the grounds that he is a flight risk and did not have fixed abode.

Hamza informed the court that when the matter was first reported at Othaya police station last year by the parents of the victims, the respondent is said to have escaped to an unknown location.

Ali was arrested at Naserian location, Kiserian, in Kajiado on February 20, 2026.

Hamza further stated that the suspect might use his position to interfere with the victims in that he is a person of authority.

“The respondent’s security is also at risk and he may also jeopardize investigations, I therefore ask your honorable court to grant me 10 days to enable me to complete my investigations,” he said.

In granting the detectives additional time, the court directed that the suspect be detained at Othaya police station until March 3.