Court gavel/ Star illustrationThe Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Lumakanda Police Station in Kakamega county has been charged with defilement of a 14-year-old girl, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has said.
According to a statement by the DPP, the police officer appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Dorcas Mac’andere.
The accused was charged with 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 Sexual Offences Act.
The prosecution further charged him with abuse of a position of authority contrary to Section 24(2) of the Act.
The DPP said the alleged offences occurred between September 24 and 27 and involved the 14-year-old girl.
The OCS denied all the charges.
The defence urged the court to release him on reasonable bail terms, arguing that the state cousels had not demonstrated why he should remain in custody.
The prosecution, however, opposed the accused’s release on bail and bond, citing the nature and circumstances of the charges.
The prosecution argued that the seriousness of the alleged offences should be taken into account when considering the accused’s application for bail and bond.
The prosecutors also raised concerns that the accused could use his position and influence to interfere with witnesses if released.
“The prosecution submitted that the alleged offences were serious in nature, urging the court to take into consideration the circumstances surrounding the case, including the influence by the accused to interfere with witnesses,” the DPP said in its statement.
The court subsequently ordered that the accused be remanded until October 1 when the applicable bond terms would be determined.
The charges against the police officer remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
