By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a major conviction after the Mau Magistrate’s Court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old child in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County.
According to the report, the offence occurred on May 26, 2024, when the accused attacked the minor.
“The court found the accused guilty of defiling the minor, a class two pupil, in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County, on May 26, 2024,” noted the ODPP.
Prosecution Counsel Kelvin Gitonga successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, presenting four witnesses whose testimony corroborated the victim’s account.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Ken Muchiri commended the prosecution for building a strong case and emphasized the credibility of the victim’s testimony.
“Having observed the victim’s demeanour during testimony, I found no reason whatsoever to doubt her evidence,” the magistrate stated.
The court also dismissed the accused’s defence, in which he alleged that his wife framed him due to marital disputes.
The magistrate described the claim as a “mere sham and an afterthought,” noting that the accused failed to raise the issue during cross-examination.
The child testified that her mother had gone to church and left her at home when the accused attacked her.
“The minor had testified that her mother had gone to church and left her alone at home when the accused attacked and defiled her,” the ODPP stated.
The court highlighted that the victim’s clear recognition of her assailant left no room for mistaken identity.
In delivering the sentence, the court underscored the severity of the crime and imposed a life sentence, as prescribed by law.
The conviction reaffirms the DPP’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).