Two middle-aged men have each been handed a 30-year prison sentence for defiling a 16-year-old boy in Kericho County in 2023. Ezekiel Tanui and Derrick Kipngeno Kirui were convicted by Kericho Principal Magistrate Fredrick Nyakundi after a detailed trial exposed their heinous acts.
The victim, a school dropout, had traveled from Kepkelion to Kericho on October 20, 2023, to attend Mashujaa Day celebrations. Stranded without enough bus fare to return home, he sought help from Tanui, who offered him shelter in his rental house in Baraka Village. Instead of providing safety, Tanui repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor over several weeks.
When the boy escaped and sought refuge with Kirui, he faced further abuse. Medical reports later confirmed that both perpetrators were HIV-positive, raising fears of possible infection. However, tests showed the victim remained HIV-negative.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the two were charged with defilement and an alternative count of committing an indecent act with a child, alongside deliberately transmitting HIV. However, the court acquitted them of the HIV transmission charge due to lack of evidence.
Magistrate Nyakundi found them guilty of defilement under Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act, which prescribes severe penalties for such crimes. The 30-year sentence reflects the gravity of the offense and sends a strong message against child sexual abuse.
While the ruling offers some justice, the case highlights vulnerabilities faced by minors, especially those separated from family support. Activists urge stronger child protection measures and community awareness to prevent such abuses.
The ODPP praised the court’s decision, reaffirming its commitment to prosecuting sexual violence cases. Meanwhile, the victim continues to recover from the trauma, with hopes that the sentencing will deter future offenders.
