Two men in Kwale County have each been handed 20-year prison sentences after being found guilty in separate cases involving the defilement of 13-year-old schoolgirls.
In the first case, 22-year-old Mboga Abubakar Bedera was convicted after the court established that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl at Malalani in Biani Location, Msambweni Sub-County, on December 30, 2022. Principal Magistrate Rose Ombata heard that the girl had gone to Bedera’s house with three friends. He allegedly ordered the other children to leave before locking the door and preventing the girl from getting out. When the girl screamed for help, the court heard that Bedera covered her mouth and threatened her before sexually assaulting her.
The girl later disclosed the incident at a friend’s parents’ home. Her parents subsequently reported the matter to police, after which she was taken to Msambweni Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The prosecution called four witnesses, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Collins Orwa. Magistrate Ombata found their evidence credible and supported by medical findings, concluding that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Bedera was convicted under Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
In the second case, 58-year-old Chamambo Mangale Ngati was also sentenced to 20 years after being convicted of defiling a 13-year-old Grade Five pupil in Madingo area, Diani Location, on October 9, 2025. The court heard that the girl was heading to school at about 7am when Ngati allegedly took her into his room and sexually assaulted her. After the girl reported what had happened, her mother raised the alarm. Ngati was apprehended with the assistance of another man before being taken to Diani Police Station.
The girl was examined and treated at Diani Health Centre, where medical documentation, including P3 and PRC forms, was completed. The prosecution, led by Counsel Khamis Mahdi, presented four witnesses. Resident Magistrate Joy Mutimba found their evidence consistent and sufficient to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt. In sentencing Ngati, the court noted the prevalence of defilement cases involving school-going children and said a deterrent sentence was necessary to safeguard minors.
Both men were granted 14 days within which to appeal against their convictions and sentences.
