The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya has been given a 10-day deadline to conclude their investigation into a cleric accused of sexually abusing 12 minors in Othaya. The ruling was made by Principal Magistrate Sandra Ogot during a court session where the prosecution requested additional time to complete the investigation. The Imam, who was teaching at a local madrassa, is alleged to have lured students aged between five and fourteen into indecent acts on multiple occasions from 2022 until November 2025.

The allegations first emerged last year when parents of the alleged victims approached the local police to report the misconduct. They informed authorities that their children had been victims of the Imam's actions while attending madrassa classes. However, the investigation has faced challenges, particularly because the suspect reportedly fled shortly after the accusations were made, complicating the authorities' efforts to collect evidence and build a case against him.

With the urgency of the investigation underscored by the court's ruling, there is a strong public interest in the case, as it involves serious charges against a figure of authority within the community. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications not only for the victims and their families but also for the local Muslim community and its governance structures, particularly regarding the safeguarding of children in religious educational settings.