A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of defiling a 12-year-old girl in Seme Sub-County, Kisumu County.
The sentence was secured by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) following a successful prosecution at the Kombewa Magistrate’s Court.
The convict, identified as Ng’iendo, was found guilty by Magistrate Jocelyn R. Kimetto over the offence committed on May 18, 2022, at around noon.
According to the prosecution, the minor had returned home from school to seek treatment after feeling unwell. She was staying at her aunt’s residence, where the convict lived with his wife and their three children.
The court heard that shortly after the girl arrived home and rested on a seat in the living room, the convict carried her to a bed and sexually assaulted her.
The prosecution further told the court that the incident was allegedly the fourth time the convict had defiled the minor. He reportedly threatened to kill her if she revealed the abuse to anyone.
The girl later disclosed the incident to her aunt, who took her to hospital for medical examination before reporting the matter to the police.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Carolyn Kiptum led the prosecution, presenting three witnesses to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Among the witnesses was a clinical officer whose examination findings and medical history were consistent with the alleged defilement.
The accused denied the charges, including an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child. He claimed he had been framed by his wife.
However, Magistrate Kimetto dismissed the explanation, observing that the accused’s account lacked credibility.
“The explanation by the accused defeats logic and casts no doubt on the prosecution’s case,” the magistrate said.
The court subsequently convicted Ng’iendo of defilement under Sections 8(1) and 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, No. 3 of 2006, and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
The convict was granted 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.
