A middle-aged man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after an Eldoret court found him guilty of defiling his niece seven years ago.
The accused, Henry Wanyoike Laiban, was handed the life sentence by Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Kimani Mukabi on Monday.
Laiban, who was living alone in a one-roomed house in Kimumu estate along the Eldoret-Iten highway, is the younger brother of the complainant’s mother.
He was charged with committing an indecent act with a child contrary to Section 11(1) of the Sexual Offences Act.
According to court documents, on July 14, 2018, at Kimumu Estate in Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Laiban allegedly defiled the girl, who was 10 years old at the time.
While giving her evidence-in-chief, the victim moved the court as she narrated how her uncle lured her into his house on the fateful day before turning against her.
“I was at home taking care of our little child when my uncle approached and requested me to sweep his house,” she recalled.
She told the court that as she was sweeping, the accused pulled her and then asked her to sit on his bed, asking her to remove her clothes.
“I removed my clothes, and my uncle began defiling me in turns as I screamed for help without success,” she complained.
The court heard that after committing the offense, the convict gave her Sh20 and warned her against telling anybody about the incident.
The convict is said to have showed up again at the girl’s home and asked her to get him Sh15, thus leaving her with Sh5.
Giving her evidence on the case, Dr. Irene Simiyu, a medical doctor from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, confirmed to the court the complainant had multiple healed hymenal tears.
She informed the court that their findings were consistent with defilement while producing a P3 form as an exhibit.
When he was put on his defense, the convict chose to remain silent throughout the sessions.
The convict informed the court he was not interested in calling any witness to testify in his favour in the matter.
While delivering his verdict, Mukabi noted the crime committed by the accused person was very serious, as he reminded him of his right to appeal within 14 days if unsatisfied with the judgment.
By Maurice Aluda
