By Michelle Ndaga
A 22-year-old madrasa teacher has been charged with defiling a four-year-old girl in Lamu, in a case that has triggered public outrage in the coastal county.
The suspect, Sharif Hussein, popularly known as Ustadhi, was arraigned before the Lamu Law Courts where he faced charges of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(4) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006. He also faces an alternative count of committing an indecent act with a child.
The court heard that the offence allegedly occurred earlier this month in Utukuni area, Mkomani Location, Lamu Island, where Hussein is accused of intentionally and unlawfully penetrating the minor an act the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) described as heinous and unacceptable.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Hon. Peter Wasike, Hussein pleaded not guilty and, through his lawyer, requested reasonable bond terms.
However, Prosecution Counsel Idris Kipruto Tumno opposed the bail application, arguing that releasing the accused could jeopardize ongoing investigations, risk interference with witnesses including the minor complainant and potentially endanger the suspect’s own safety given the public anger surrounding the case.
The magistrate directed Probation and Aftercare Services to prepare a pre-bail report before ruling on the bond request. Hussein was remanded at Hindi G.K. Prison until the case is mentioned again on September 30, 2025.
