Joel Waweru, a Bishop of Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has been charged with allegedly trying to touch and kiss a woman forcefully.
Waweru who was arraigned before Kibra Law Court on Tuesday January 11, denied the two criminal counts that are related to sexual assault.
A charge sheet seen by K24 Digital revealed that the cleric allegedly committed the offence on different dates in Lang’ata Sub-County within Nairobi County. The woman told the police that the Bishop had on several occasions said that he liked her because she was beautiful.
The woman further alleged that the Bishop was obsessed with her even though she is married. She added that the obsession pushed her into filing a complaint as he became excessively insecure and frustrated.
The police file produced in court stated that the complainant reported that the bishop had sexually harassed her on different occasions since 2018.
She complained of several frustrations among them demotion, pay cut, and embarrassments as a result of her rebellion.
“Bishop Waweru demoted her at a church in Westlands, then transferred her to a different parish.”
Waweru during his appearance in court, pleaded not guilty to the allegations and asked for lenient bond terms. The magistrate released him on a ksh50,000 cash bail. “He will be released on a ksh50,000 cash bail and the matter will be brought here after a fortnight,” Derrick Kuto ruled.
Bishop Waweru was also charged with the second count of touching the breast of J.N.M in an indecent manner on July 13, 2021.
Joel Waweru has been the Anglican Bishop of Nairobi in the Province of Kenya since 2010.
Joel Waweru Mwangi was born on 4 October 1959 at Gakira. He was educated at the high school in Kangema and the University of Nairobi. He joined the Church Army, rising to be Assistant General Secretary, Africa.
Joel Waweru was ordained in 1994 and has served the church in Minnesota, Sheffield and Buruburu before his appointment as bishop.
