Devotion and devastation: Busia priest recounts years of abuse beyond church walls
Man handcuffed for attacking his wife. A police report filed at Busia Police Station says the priest assaulted by her husband suffered multiple injuries to her chest, lower abdomen, face, neck, and eye.
What you need to know:
- Reverend Lalu, who has been abused by her bishop husband, is seeking justice after years of silent suffering and shared ministry.
- Faith couldn’t shield Reverend Lalu from domestic violence; now estranged, she demands justice for her broken body.
Three weeks ago, the unthinkable happened to Lalu*, a devout woman of faith and a thriving entrepreneur.
At her matrimonial home in Busia, the reverend, who ministered at a local church, was viciously assaulted by her husband, who also served in the same church as bishop. Accusing her of infidelity, he descended on her with brutal force: slaps, kicks, and blows.
According to the National Police Service Medical Examination Report, Lalu was treated at Busia County Referral Hospital for multiple injuries to her chest, lower abdomen, face, neck, and eye. The report documents that her husband tore out clumps of her hair during the attack.
Simon Kerich, the Officer Commanding Busia Police Station, said, “This was a clear case of domestic violence. The suspect was arrested and arraigned, but pleaded not guilty. He was released on Sh30,000 bail.”
To the outside world, the couple's journey had all the hallmarks of hope, resilience, and spiritual triumph. Lalu studied up to Form Two, while her husband had completed Class Seven. They married in 1990, and in 2008, they sealed their union in a church wedding.
Their faith blossomed into a shared ministry. Together, they founded a church in Busia, with Lalu as the reverend and her husband standing beside her as the bishop.
Life was not easy in the early years of their marriage. To sustain themselves, the couple began trading in new shoes sourced from Kampala, Uganda. Business picked up, and they soon opened two shops.
Later, they closed up the shops to establish a mini-supermarket, which gradually evolved into a fully fledged retail enterprise. Over time, that single supermarket expanded into a chain of seven, with branches in Busia, Nambale, Mumias and Sabatia.
“We bought property together. We built our home together. We operated a joint bank account, and we even purchased 36 vehicles as co-owners,” she recalled. “But then, he changed. He became someone I didn’t recognise.”
What began as emotional abuse soon escalated into physical and psychological torment. Still, Lalu stayed. She prayed, believing her husband would return to the man she once knew.
As a spiritual leader, she feared that walking away would shatter the faith of their congregants and convey the wrong message about marriage. So, she endured in silence, protecting not just his image but also their ministry.
“Now, he has cut me off from everything. I have nothing to my name, yet I gave my all to build what we had,” said Lalu, who is now living under the care of her brother. “All I want is justice.”
*Name changed to protect her identity.
