A 73-year-old Dutch national, Jan IN’T Veld, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Ksh. 3 million (approximately $23,000) for multiple offenses related to child pornography, sexual communication with a minor, indecent acts, and child abuse. The verdict was delivered by the Milimani Children’s Court in Nairobi, Kenya, following a trial that exposed the accused’s exploitation of vulnerable children.
Jan IN’T Veld, who went by aliases such as “Teacher Jan,” “Dad,” and “Mzungu,” was convicted on all 10 counts of offenses committed between April 2022 and November 2023. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the accused intentionally exposed a 17-year-old minor to obscene materials via WhatsApp, encouraging the minor to engage in sexual acts. He also received explicit images of two other minors, aged 10 and 7, for his own gratification.
The court heard disturbing details of how IN’T Veld engaged in sexually explicit communication with the 17-year-old, even indecently exposing himself while the minor’s mother, with whom he was in a relationship, was present. Additionally, he actively encouraged another individual to engage in sexual acts with underage girls and instructed him to take nude photos and videos, which were then sent to IN’T Veld.
The prosecution, led by Linda Ndambiri and Victor Preston Owuor, presented nine witnesses whose testimonies proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. In her ruling, Magistrate Dr. Alice Macharia emphasized the overwhelming evidence against the accused, noting the deep emotional trauma experienced by the victims, particularly one witness who testified from “a place of deep hurt.”
In addition to the prison sentence, IN’T Veld was ordered to pay Ksh. 3 million in restitution to the victims, with the amount taking precedence over the fines. The court also mandated his deportation upon completion of his prison term.
This case highlights the importance of stringent measures to combat child exploitation and the need for international cooperation to hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their nationality. The ruling sends a strong message that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated, and justice will be served for the most vulnerable members of society.
