Jailed illustrationA Machakos man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of defiling a two-year-old child in Kiemboni Village, Yatta Sub-County.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the man was convicted at the Kithimani Magistrate’s Court on September 1, 2026, following a prosecution case linking him to the sexual assault of the child on January 6, 2026.
According to the ODPP, the accused was charged with defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act, No. 3 of 2006.
The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Lydia Wang’ombe, presented evidence showing that the accused was known to the child and her family and was therefore within the child’s circle of familiarity.
The court heard that the child was later found bleeding and identified the accused through an intermediary.
"Medical evidence presented during the trial documented genital injuries and confirmed forcible penetration," ODPP stated.
Investigators also produced the child’s blood-stained trousers as part of the evidence presented before the court.
The prosecution said the evidence was sufficient to establish the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The court subsequently entered a conviction under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The accused had denied the allegations and claimed he had been falsely implicated following a dispute over a Sh5,000 debt.
However, the court rejected the defence and found the prosecution evidence sufficient to sustain the conviction.
In sentencing, the court described the offence as grave and aggravated, noting that the accused had sexually assaulted a minor and taken advantage of her vulnerability.
"Although the accused was treated as a first offender and pleaded for leniency, the court found that the seriousness of the offence warranted a custodial sentence that would protect children and deter would-be offenders," ODPP stated.
The sentence will take effect from January 12, 2026, when the accused was first arraigned and placed in custody.
The court also ordered that his name be entered into the Register of Convicted and Dangerous Sexual Offenders.
The case underscores the importance of prosecution of sexual offences against children and the protection of minors from abuse.
The conviction follows the presentation of both medical and physical evidence, with the prosecution successfully establishing the circumstances surrounding the assault.
