By Michelle Ndaga
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a major conviction after the Mau Magistrate’s Court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old child in Igembe South Sub-County, Meru County.
The offence occurred on May 26, 2024, when the accused attacked the class two pupil at her home while her mother was away at church. The victim gave a clear and detailed testimony that was found to be credible and consistent, leaving no doubt as to the identity of her assailant.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Ken Muchiri commended the strength of the prosecution’s case, led by Counsel Kelvin Gitonga, which presented four witnesses to support the child’s account.
He emphasized that the victim’s direct recognition of the accused eliminated any possibility of mistaken identity.
“Having observed the victim’s demeanour during testimony, I found no reason whatsoever to doubt her evidence,” Magistrate Muchiri stated.
The court dismissed the accused’s defence that his wife, who was a prosecution witness, had framed him due to suspicions of adultery. The magistrate described the defence as a “mere sham and an afterthought,” noting that the claim had not been raised during cross-examination.
In handing down the life sentence, the court underscored the seriousness of the crime and its impact on the minor, stressing that such acts would be met with the full weight of the law.
This conviction, the DPP noted, demonstrates the office’s continued commitment to securing justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly children.
By Michelle Ndaga
