Taveta Man Jailed for 20 Years Over Defilement of Minor

A man convicted of defiling a 14-year-old girl in Taveta has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following a prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Principal Magistrate Eugene Kadima handed down the sentence after finding the accused guilty of defilement under Section 8(1), as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.

The accused had also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child under Section 11(1) of the same Act.

The case arose from the disappearance of the minor between March 12 and March 17, 2026, after she attended primary school athletics competitions at a neighbouring school.

Her disappearance prompted her guardian to report the matter to the school’s head teacher, who immediately organised a search to establish her whereabouts.

The search took a new direction after the head teacher received information that the girl had been spotted with the suspect in Mwangaza, walking towards a house where they were believed to be staying.

There were concerns that the suspect intended to move the minor to another location, prompting the head teacher to seek assistance from the police.

Accompanied by police officers and the girl’s grandmother, the head teacher proceeded to the house, where they found the suspect with the minor. He was subsequently arrested.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Prosecution Counsel Louane Lwane, called five witnesses and presented exhibits in support of its case.

The court heard the evidence before Magistrate Kadima concluded that the prosecution had established the charge beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in the conviction and the 20-year prison sentence.

The sentence brings the trial to a close, although the convict retains the right to challenge the decision in a higher court.

The ODPP said the conviction followed a full trial in which the prosecution relied on witness testimony and documentary exhibits to establish the accused's culpability. The convict has 14 days within which to file an appeal against the ruling.