A pastor in Kilifi, Kenya, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for defiling his 15-year-old cousin on two separate occasions. The offences occurred between June 2023 and February 2024, with the girl becoming pregnant as a result of the assaults. The case came to light after the girl's mother reported the matter to the police, leading to the pastor's arrest and subsequent conviction.
According to court testimony, the pastor first invited the girl to join him and his wife for fasting and prayers in mid-2023. However, during the prayers, the pastor and his wife allegedly assaulted the girl, with the wife covering her mouth to prevent her from calling for help. The pastor then threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident. The girl returned home traumatized but did not initially tell her mother about the assault.
The pastor allegedly assaulted the girl again about two weeks later, persuading her to return to his home for more prayers and fasting. He claimed that the prayers would prevent her from marrying a non-Christian after completing school. During this second incident, the pastor defiled the girl while she was asleep with his children. The girl was 15 years old at the time of the assaults and testified in court in June 2024, when she was 16.
DNA evidence presented in court showed a 99.9 percent probability that the pastor was the biological father of the child. The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Winnie Atieno Otieno, presented a strong case that led to the pastor's conviction. The pastor initially denied the offence but later admitted to having sexual intercourse with the minor, claiming he had been coerced and did not know her age.
Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki dismissed the pastor's defence as baseless and an afterthought. In his judgment, Mwaniki stated that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and established that the accused had acted without lawful justification. The pastor was convicted of defilement contrary to Section 8(1), as read with Section 8(3), of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006.
The court directed the convict to exercise his right of appeal against the conviction and sentence within 14 days. The sentence was handed down on September 29, 2026, with the pastor being ordered to serve 30 years in prison. The case highlights the severity of sexual offences in Kenya and the efforts of the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable.
The case also underscores the importance of protecting minors from sexual exploitation and the role of the community in reporting suspicious incidents. The victim's mother played a crucial role in bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities, leading to the pastor's arrest and conviction. The sentence serves as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar offences.
Key points
- The pastor was sentenced to 30 years in prison for defiling his 15-year-old cousin twice and impregnating her.
- The prosecution presented DNA evidence showing a 99.9 percent probability that the pastor was the biological father of the child.
- The pastor's defence was dismissed as baseless and an afterthought by Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki.
