Kenyan priest arrested in the US for alleged sexual assault
A 42-year-old Kenyan priest who has worked in several churches in the San Antonio Archdiocese, US, was on September 26, 2023, arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 70-year-old woman.
International media reported the priest identified as Rev George Mbugua Ndung’u, alias Father Wanjiru who has worked in several churches is charged with aggravated sexual assault after complaints were raised by a church employee and a parishioner.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said investigations over the matter commenced immediately after complaints were received leading to the arrest.
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“He has worked in several churches within Bexar County since 2017,” said Salazar.
Some of the churches he has worked in include; Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, St. Gabriel Catholic Church, and St. Rose of Lima in San Antonio.
He was then sent to other churches which include St. Ann Catholic Church in La Vernia, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockdale, St. Peter and Paul in New Braunfels, and St. Thomas the Apostle in Canyon Lake.
The information was relayed to the church by a private investigator who was hired to find out what had happened.
According to Salazar one of the employees working at St. Rose Lima Catholic Church said that Mr Ndung’u had done something inappropriate to her.
The priest was then removed from the church, and a statement was put out to parishioners in case anyone else had other claims.
A woman in her 70s came forward to BCSO and said Ndungu sexually assaulted her on three occasions beginning in November 2022.
Salazar said the woman confided in Ndungu for spiritual guidance and was an active member of the church. He said the woman was vulnerable due to some life circumstances.
“He very much groomed this victim, gained her confidence,” the sheriff said.