Court gavel./FILETwo men have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of defiling 13-year-old schoolgirls in separate cases in Kwale County.
In the first case, 22-year-old Mboga Abubakar Bedera was convicted of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.
Principal Magistrate Rose Ombata found Bedera guilty of defiling a 13-year-old schoolgirl on December 30, 2022, in the Malalani area of Biani Location, Msambweni Sub-County.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the girl had arrived at Bedera's house with three friends before he ordered the other minors to leave and prevented her from leaving.
"The girl screamed, prompting Bedera to cover her mouth and threaten to beat her before sexually assaulting her," DPP stated.
The girl later disclosed the incident at the home of a fellow minor, after which her parents were informed and the matter reported to police.
She was taken to Msambweni Hospital for medical examination and treatment, while Bedera was placed in police custody. P3 and PRC forms were also completed.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Collins Orwa, called four witnesses.
Magistrate Ombata found their evidence credible and corroborated by medical evidence, proving the case beyond reasonable doubt, the ODPP said.
In the second case, 58-year-old Chamambo Mangale Ngati was sentenced to 20 years after being convicted of defiling a 13-year-old Grade Five pupil.
Resident Magistrate Joy Mutimba convicted Ngati of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(4) of the Sexual Offences Act.
The ODPP said Ngati defiled the girl on October 9, 2025, at around 7am in Madingo area, Diani Location, Msambweni Sub-County.
"The girl was on her way to school when Ngati took her into his room and sexually assaulted her," DPP said.
After she disclosed the incident, her mother raised the alarm and, with the help of another man, Ngati was apprehended.
He was later taken to Diani Police Station and placed in custody, while the girl was taken to Diani Health Centre for examination and treatment.
"P3 and PRC forms were completed," the DPP said.
The prosecution, through counsel Khamis Mahdi, called four witnesses whose evidence the court found consistent and sufficient to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
“Cases involving defilement of school-going children were rampant and a deterrent sentence was necessary to protect children,” Magistrate Mutimba said, according to the ODPP.
The ODPP said both convicts were granted 14 days to appeal against their convictions and sentences.
