A 16-year-old girl has told an Eldoret court her father repeatedly sexually abused her, allegedly demanding sex whenever she asked him for money to buy school supplies.
The girl, identified in court as AW, told principal magistrate Keyne Gweno the abuse began after her mother died, leaving her and her three sisters under their father’s care.
“Our mother died and left behind four girls, including me, and we were under the care of our father,” she said.
The girl said her father would demand sex whenever she asked him to buy books, pens and other items required at school.
“Whenever I was asked by my school teacher to come with a book and pen and I told my father to buy me the items, he would demand to have sex with me first before he could purchase the said items for me,” she said.
She told the court that although she was unwilling, she felt forced to comply because of threats from her father.
The girl said the abuse caused her pain and frustration and she eventually decided to confide in one of her teachers.
“I was really suffering and I decided to tell my teacher because any request for school needs turned into a nightmare for me,” she said.
The father was subsequently arrested and detained at Langas police station before being charged with incest under Section 20(1) of the Sexual Offences Act No 3 of 2006.
The charge states that on diverse dates between January 16 and February 6, 2026, in Uasin Gishu county, he intentionally and unlawfully defiled his daughter, AW.
He denied the charge when he appeared in court and was granted a bond of Sh300,000 or cash bail of Sh100,000.
He was unable to raise either amount and was subsequently detained at Eldoret GK Prison pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The magistrate declined his request to have the cash bail reduced from Sh100,000 to Sh50,000.
“I will not reduce any further the Sh100,000 cash bail I granted you because I know the moment you get your freedom you will never be seen in this court again,” Gweno said.
Dr Irene Simiyu, a doctor at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, also testified she examined the girl and conducted tests which, according to her evidence, confirmed that she had been defiled.
The prosecution has lined up five key witnesses, including the investigating officer.
The case was adjourned to September
8, 2026, for further hearing.
