A 19-year-old boda boda rider has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for defiling a 12-year-old schoolgirl in Kinango, Kwale County.
The sentence was handed down by Senior Resident Magistrate Joy Mutimba during a Kinango Mobile Court session after finding the accused guilty of defilement.
The court convicted him under Section 8(1), as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The offence occurred on August 24, 2025, at around 11am in Dumbule Village, Kinango Location, when the victim was a Grade Seven pupil.
Court proceedings revealed that the girl was on her way to a church service when she encountered the accused, who was riding a motorcycle.
The prosecution told the court that the rider gave the minor a KSh20 coin and persuaded her to follow him. He allegedly took her to a nearby toilet, where he committed the offence before giving her another KSh10 and allowing her to leave.
The girl later reported the incident at home and was taken to Kinango Sub-County Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The matter was subsequently reported at Kinango Police Station, prompting investigations.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Collins Orwa, presented four witnesses during the trial, including the complainant, a relative, a person who was informed of the incident and the investigating officer.
The court also heard medical evidence, including a P3 form, treatment notes and a preserved blood-stained sanitary pad, which were produced as exhibits in support of the prosecution’s case.
In her judgment, Magistrate Mutimba said the complainant’s testimony was clear and consistent and was supported by medical evidence and other witness accounts.
She dismissed the accused’s defence, ruling that it did not create reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s evidence.
While delivering the sentence, the magistrate described defilement of a child as a serious offence, noting that the 20-year jail term reflected the gravity of the crime and was intended to deter similar offences.
The convict was informed of his right to appeal against both the conviction and sentence within 14 days.
