A SENIOR churchman has reassured parishioners they will not be kept in the dark over a probe into a Hampshire church charity.

Archdeacon Dr Peter Rouch made the vow yesterday during a special visit to St Thomas’ Church in Fair Oak.

As revealed in the Daily Echo, the church-led charity St Thomas’ Handshake to Kware, which has raised nearly £600,000 for slum children in Kenya, is nowbeing investigated.

The Charity Commission has confirmed it will be examining concerns over the charity’s work in the East African country.

In his speech to parishioners, Dr Rouch said: “It is understandable that many people have been concerned by the reports in the local press this last week regarding matters relating to Handshake to Kware.

“That the information publicly available at present is very limited does not reflect a desire to keep anyone in the dark.

“However, protocols in this situation require that those directly involved are constrained in what they can and cannot say, as well as by the need to maintain a proper respect for confidentiality.”

The charity founder, Nairobi-based Benn Mugisha, right, has been described by the charity trustees as not being a “fit and proper person to continue to represent the charity”

following an internal probe.

All fundraising and payments to Kenya have been suspended.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated by a wide spectrum of the local community, including school children and police officers.

Church vicar Rev David Snuggs has decided to “voluntarily withdraw” from ministries while the investigation is ongoing.

There is no suggestion that he or anyone in the UK-based side of the charity has been implicated in any wrong-doing.

Dr Rouch said he knew people were concerned about the wellbeing of Rev Snuggs, but said he was receiving support.

He added: “They are also very grateful for your many messages of support and prayer.”

Prayers were said for the congregation and Rev Snuggs.