Members of the public and Catholic faithful have reacted angrily to a video that has gone viral, showing a Catholic nun slapping her colleague following an altercation.
The incident appears to have been recorded on a mobile phone by the victim of the assault.
In the video, a nun wearing a gown, white veil and rosary can be seen confronting a younger nun in the doorway of a room, which members of the Catholic Church in Homa Bay have confirmed to be a convent.
“Unaona haujafanya kitu? Do you know you are a small thing lakini vitu unanifanyia hapa unaona kama ni nini?” (“Don’t you realise your mistake? You are my junior, yet the things you are doing to me... what do you think they mean?") the senior nun said before slapping her across the face.
During the confrontation, the younger nun repeatedly asks why she is being attacked, especially in front of the convent's workers.
“What have I done? Why are you beating me in front of workers?” she asks, as the older nun threatens to hit her again.
The senior nun also demands that the younger one surrender some oil, warning her not to come downstairs before handing it over.
“Usikuje chini kama haujapeaana hiyo mafuta!” (“Don’t come downstairs before giving out the oil!”) she shouts, before adding: “Unajua huyu mtoto ni mjinga sana. Piga simu Asumbi.” (“This young girl is very foolish. Call Asumbi [the Catholic base].”)
In a statement, the Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph condemned the incident, describing it as “unfortunate.”
Superior General Mary Goretty Ochieng said the assault was a personal failing that did not represent the values of the congregation.
“This action is a personal failing and does not represent the values of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. We deeply regret the harm caused to the Sister involved, as well as the scandal and pain this incident has caused to our congregation, the church and the public,” she wrote in a statement.
Sister Ochieng said that the Church stands for joy, love and compassion, and therefore discourages violence.
“We are addressing this matter according to Church and Congregational procedures, with the aim of ensuring the dignity and well-being of all our members. We ask for prayers for those directly affected and for our congregation as a whole as we seek healing and reconciliation,” she said.
