By Dorothy Musyoka
The Kilifi Law Courts have sentenced two men, David Katana Karisa and Charles Nyoka Hamisi, to ten years imprisonment each for the gang defilement of a 14-year-old boy with a mental disability.
They were also sentenced to one year imprisonment for threatening to kill the child, with both sentences set to run concurrently.
Delivering the judgment, Principal Magistrate Hon. D. Wasike condemned the actions of the accused, stating that they had taken advantage of the victim’s mental limitations to commit a “heinous and degrading act.”
While acknowledging the relative youth of the offenders and their own possible mental challenges, the magistrate emphasized the court’s duty to uphold the law and protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
“The court heard that on diverse dates in July and August 2023, during daytime in Roka location in Kilifi North Sub County within Kilifi County, in association with others before the court and with a common intention, Karisa and Hamisi defiled and threatened to kill a 14-year-old child,” noted the ODPP.
The offences occurred during daytime, and the victim, who suffers from a mental disability, was left severely traumatized both physically and psychologically.
Prosecutor Ms. Nancy Njeru led the case, calling for the maximum custodial sentence. She argued that the nature of the crime warranted a strong punitive response to serve as a deterrent and ensure justice for the victim.
In addition to the sentencing, the court granted the prosecution’s request for the victim to be placed under a structured two-year psychosocial support program.
The program, to be supervised by the Probation and Aftercare Department, aims to assist in the child’s recovery and reintegration.