A children’s orphanage in South Mugirango Constituency, Kisii County, has been shut down indefinitely following serious allegations of child abuse and unfit living conditions. The closure of St. Peter’s Rigena Orthodox Orphanage Home in Boikang’a Ward was announced by the Permanent Secretary for the State Department for Children Welfare Services, Carren Agengo, who led a multi-agency team in a rescue operation.
The action follows reports that a seven-year-old girl was allegedly defiled by the orphanage’s proprietor, Johnson Otara. The disturbing incident came to light after the girl reportedly escaped the facility and informed local villagers, who then alerted the authorities.
Sixteen children were rescued from the facility during the raid, which involved members of the security team, the Children’s Department, and the National Government Administration. PS Agengo expressed dismay at the swift release of the suspect from police custody, questioning the justice system’s handling of such sensitive cases.
“It is worrying when someone accused of such a serious offense is released quickly and allowed to return to the same environment where the children reside,” she said.
Agengo also revealed that the orphanage had not been registered as a Charitable Children’s Institution (CCI), despite being in operation for approximately five years. She ordered the immediate closure of the facility and the relocation of the children to safer, licensed orphanages within the county.
“You cannot operate an illegal orphanage and call it a Charitable Children Institution while endangering children’s lives,” Agengo stressed, warning unregistered CCI operators of impending legal consequences.
Abdinoor Mohamed, CEO of the National Council for Children’s Welfare, stated that Kisii County currently has about 23 registered CCIs. He announced that a crackdown on illegal orphanages would begin promptly, adding that the now-closed facility may have only recently relocated to its current site, which might explain its absence from earlier inspections.
The government is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious child welfare facilities that may be operating without proper licensing or oversight.
