“Deeply regrettable”: Catholic Sisters’ Congregation in Kenya Troubled after Member Captured Assaulting Younger Sister

Nairobi, 08 September, 2025 / 9:44 PM

The leadership of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSJ), also known as Asumbi Sisters in Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay has expressed regret over an incident of abuse in which an older member is captured in a video recording assaulting a younger member of the Congregation.

In in the widely circulated video, the younger Sister is not visible, but can be heard repeatedly asking, “Why are you beating me Sister?”, as the older Nun slaps her multiple times.

The incident is said to have happened on September 5 at St. John's Rakwaro Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Homa Bay.

In a statement dated Monday, September 8, FSJ Superior General, Sr. Mary Goretty Ochieng, describes the attack as “deeply regrettable” noting that the Congregation has initiated a process to ensure that the incident is addressed.

“The Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph have become aware of a deeply regrettable incident involving one of our members physically assaulting a younger Sister, a clip of which has circulated widely on social media,” Sr. Mary Goretty says.

She adds, “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.”

“Our charism is joyful love, and compassion. Violence in any form is contrary to our way of life. We are addressing this matter according to Church and Congregational procedures, with the aim to ensure the dignity and well-being of all our members,” the FSJ Superior General says in the one-page letter.

In the letter, she appeals for closeness with the Congregation, saying, “We ask for prayers for those directly affected and for our Congregation as a whole as we seek healing and reconciliation.”

Here is part of the confrontation between the two Asumbi Sisters, whose names are not provided:

Younger Sister: What have I done that you are beating me?

Older Sister: Do you know that you are a small thing but the things that you are doing to me…

Younger Sister: Why are you beating me Sister in front of people?

Older Sister: Do you want more?

Younger Sister: Just beat me, Sister.

Older Sister: Don’t come down before you give out that oil.

Younger Sister: Sister, why are you beating me in front of workers?

She slaps the younger Sister again before turning to couple of onlookers, saying, “You know this child is very stupid.”

Younger Sister: Sister why are you beating me?

Older Sister: Can you go…move (away) from me…

She slaps the younger Sister again, and walks away, saying, “You may call Asumbi. You are very stupid.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), Sr. Pasilisa Namikoye, has weighed in on the incident, saying it touches on principles around safeguarding vulnerable adults.

In a note ACI Africa obtained on September 8, Sr. Pasilisa indicated that the incident had affected the institution of Sisterhood that she said is charged with the mandate to safeguard and protect the minor and vulnerable adults.

“Safeguarding is no longer optional within religious life. It is a Gospel imperative and a moral responsibility,” she said, and added, “Religious Congregations, as custodians of trust, faith, and human dignity, are called to respond to safeguarding issues with clarity, courage, and consistency.”

The AOSK official noted that while Congregations remain autonomous, issues such as the assault captured on the viral video affect the reputation of the entire Sisterhood.

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“As such we appeal to the members to remain calm and vigilant as the leadership of the Congregation (Asumbi Sisters) handles the matters using their internal mechanisms following canonical processes,” she says.

The Kenyan member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSOSF) AOSK Executive expresses optimism that the leadership of FSJ will use its international mechanisms to address the assault.

Sr. Pasilisa says, “While we support the Congregation in addressing the issue, we remain united in solidarity as an association (AOSK) in consultation with relevant authorities in responding to this matter.”