A 55-year-old man from Kitui has been jailed for 20 years after admitting to repeatedly defiling his daughter — a disturbing case that underscores the urgent need to confront and prevent gender-based violence as the country observes the 16 Days of Activism.
The man appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. E. Karani, where he confessed to abusing his daughter for four years, from 2020 to 2024, in acts of violence that resulted in the birth of a child. The survivor, who lived under his control, endured prolonged abuse before the matter was finally exposed.
The court heard that the convict had also been linked to the murder of the survivor’s grandfather, prompting a prolonged period in which he was on the run before his arrest. A mental assessment ordered by the court confirmed that he was fit to plead.
Despite repeated warnings from the court about the seriousness of his admission, the man pleaded guilty to the charge. After documentary evidence and exhibits were presented, he confirmed all facts as accurate. In his mitigation, he only asked the court to consider that he had “not wasted court time.”
Principal Prosecution Counsel Florence Njihia led the prosecution, emphasizing the severity of the offence and the harm inflicted on the minor.
The conviction comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying calls for stronger protection of vulnerable children, community vigilance, and accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence. Rights groups continue to urge families, local leaders, and institutions to speak out against abuse often hidden within homes.
As the 16 Days of Activism continue, the case serves as a stark reminder that gender-based violence remains deeply entrenched — and that justice, community support, and survivor protection must remain at the centre of national efforts to end it.
