A Taveta man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of defiling a 14-year-old girl following a full trial.
Principal Magistrate Eugene Kadima found the accused guilty of defilement under Section 8(1), as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act. He had also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child under Section 11(1) of the same law. The conviction was secured by the prosecution, led by Prosecution Counsel Louane Lwane, who presented five witnesses and documentary evidence in support of the case.
The court heard that the girl disappeared for five days between March 12 and 17, 2026, after attending primary school athletics competitions at a nearby institution. Her guardian reported the disappearance to the school head teacher, who immediately organised efforts to trace her whereabouts.
During the search, the head teacher received information that the girl had been seen with the accused at Mwangaza as they headed towards a house where they were suspected to be staying.
There were concerns that the man intended to move the minor to another location, prompting the head teacher to seek assistance from police officers. Accompanied by officers and the girl’s grandmother, the head teacher proceeded to the house, where they found the girl with the suspect. He was subsequently arrested.
In his judgment, Magistrate Kadima ruled that the prosecution had established the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment, giving him 14 days to appeal the decision.
