The Yala Magistrate’s Court has extended an arrest warrant against Siaya clinician Vincent Omwenga after he failed to appear for plea-taking in a case involving the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced the development on Wednesday, November 11, saying the accused had failed to appear before Magistrate R. Otieno, prompting the court to extend the warrant.
The warrant was initially issued last week following an application by the prosecution, which sought the accused's arrest after he failed to attend court for plea-taking.
Omwenga faces a principal charge of defilement contrary to Section 8(1), as read with Section 8(3), of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006.
He also faces an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child contrary to Section 11(1) of the same Act.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred on diverse dates between January 2026 and August 23, 2026, in Gem Yala Sub-County, Siaya County, involving a girl aged 14.
The charges followed a review of an inquiry file submitted by the National Police Service (NPS) to the ODPP concerning allegations against the clinician.
The case had earlier undergone a review by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joyce Mumu, whose September 23, 2026 letter recommended diversion and referral of the minor to a children's officer for guidance and counselling.
However, the ODPP subsequently approved criminal charges against Omwenga on October 29, maintaining that sexual offences should not be diverted but handled through the formal criminal justice system.
The decision followed a review of the police investigation file, after which the prosecution proceeded with the case under the Sexual Offences Act.
The matter had initially been scheduled for mention on November 11, following the issuance of the arrest warrant on November 3. However, with the latest extension, the court has fixed November 25, 2026, for the next mention.
The extension keeps the arrest warrant in force as the court awaits the accused's appearance to answer to the charges. The allegations remain subject to determination through the court process.
