Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Defiling a Boy

A Kajiado court has sentenced a middle-aged man to life imprisonment after convicting him of defiling an 11-year-old boy.

The case has been hailed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as a significant milestone in the protection of children and the pursuit of justice.

In a judgment delivered by Principal Magistrate Hon. V. Kachuodho, the court ruled that the accused committed the offence in 2022 by luring the minor from his home under false pretences. The child testified that he was isolated, threatened, and subjected to abuse.

The court, while passing the sentence, noted that the defender deliberately targeted a vulnerable child and used intimidation and violence, terming the offence grave and deserving of the maximum punishment under the law.

Prosecution, led by Linda Nzioka, presented five witnesses whose consistent and credible testimony proved the case beyond doubt in a conviction that underscores the DPP’s commitment to safeguarding children and holding perpetrators of sexual violence fully accountable.

Also Read: Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Defilement in Kibera

Punishment for Defilement

Defilement is the act of having sexual intercourse with a child under 18 years old, whether the child consents or not.

In Kenyan law, children cannot legally consent to sexual activity, so any sexual act with a minor is considered a criminal offense.

In Kenya, the punishment for defilement is extremely strict.

Here is a clear breakdown:

Life Imprisonment

Under Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, anyone convicted of defilement is liable to life imprisonment.

This applies to both boys and girls under 18 years old.

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Aggravating Factors

If the victim is under 12 years old, the law treats it as an aggravated offense, and courts often impose the maximum sentence, usually life imprisonment without parole.

Other factors, like the use of a weapon, gang defilement, or repeated offenses can make the punishment even harsher.