A Kilifi pastor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of defiling his 15-year-old cousin twice and impregnating her. The offences occurred between June 2023 and February 2024. Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki handed down the sentence after finding the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The pastor, who was a church pastor where the complainant worshipped, had invited her to fast and pray with his wife for spiritual cleansing.
According to the complainant's testimony, the pastor defiled her at his home and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident. About two weeks later, he allegedly lured her back to his home for prayers and fasting, claiming the sessions would prevent her from marrying a non-Christian after completing school following a divine vision. She was later defiled for a second time. The girl discovered she was pregnant several months later.
The girl's mother reported the matter to the police, and the girl was taken to hospital to confirm her pregnancy. A government analyst presented DNA evidence showing a 99.9 per cent probability that the pastor was the biological father of the girl's child. The pastor initially denied the offence before admitting 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, finding him guilty. The magistrate ruled, "I find merits in the prosecution's case on the principal charge of defilement. The accused person is hereby sentenced to serve 30 years imprisonment." The court directed the convict to exercise his right of appeal against the conviction and sentence within 14 days.
The complainant testified in court at the age of 16 in June 2024, stating that the accused was her cousin and a pastor at the church where she worshipped. Her testimony detailed the events leading to her pregnancy and the pastor's attempts to lure her into further interactions. The prosecution's case relied heavily on her testimony and the DNA evidence.
The sentence has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with some calling for stricter laws to protect minors from exploitation. Others have welcomed the conviction, citing the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. The case highlights the challenges in addressing child exploitation and abuse in Kenya.
The pastor's case is one of many reported cases of child defilement in Kenya. According to various reports, child defilement remains a significant challenge in the country, with many cases going unreported. The government and various stakeholders have been working to address the issue through legislation and awareness campaigns.
Key points
- A Kilifi pastor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for defiling his 15-year-old cousin twice and impregnating her.
- The prosecution's case relied heavily on the complainant's testimony and DNA evidence showing a 99.9 per cent probability that the pastor was the biological father of the girl's child.
- The sentence was handed down by Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki, who dismissed the pastor's defence as baseless and an afterthought.
