Webuye Man Gets Sentence after Sexually Abusing 8-Year-Old Niece

A man in Bungoma County is set to serve a life sentence after being convicted of a sexual offence. 

Bernard Musindi was found guilty of defilement after an incident involving his eight-year-old niece.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the convict attacked the child in September last year.

The victim had been at Musindi's home when the latter turned against her.

She was discovered to have difficulty walking, prompting the neighbours to rush her to the hospital for examination.

"They expeditiously took the minor to the hospital for medical attention and immediately reported the matter. Officers from the nonpareil DCI Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit swung into action, apprehending the vile Benard Musindi, and subsequently charging him with multiple offences at Webuye Law Court," partly read the DCI's statement.

The man was arrested and processed for trial.

He was charged with two counts of incest, one being deliberate transmission of a life-threatening sexually transmitted disease, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) of the same Act; and child abuse under Section 22(1)(b) as read with Section 22(2) of the Children Act No. 29 of 2022.

To preside over the case was Webuye Principal Magistrate Viola Biwott.

She argued that the evidence adduced in court merited the life sentence.

The DCI lauded the court for its decision, stating that it was a display of commitment in the fight against lawlessness and criminal undertakings.

"The DCI welcomes this judgement, which is the culmination of a meticulous investigation by our elites, coupled with flawless cooperation among the Criminal Justice System players. It underscores the Directorate's commitment to ensuring justice is served to victims of sexual and gender-based violence," the DCI said.

In Kenya, a person who commits the offence of defilement on a child aged 11 or less is to be handed a life sentence.

The judgment came a day after a trio of men was charged for allegedly defiling a mentally challenged boy.

The group comprising Abdalla Omar Athuman alias "Babu," Shukri Aden Ali alias "Maalim," and Salim Chege Rimo alias "Rasta," was arraigned in a Mombasa court after being arrested for allegedly sodomising the 15-year-old.

They denied the charges in their names.

The state prosecution objected to their prayers for release, citing the seriousness of the offences that had generated anger in the public, and hence their release would subject them to danger.

The case will be up for mention on September 15.