A family in Tinet, Kuresoi South Constituency, has accused police of failing to arrest a Theology student accused of defiling and impregnating their 16-year-old daughter.
The girl’s parents say the offence was committed on December 26, 2018, and reported at Keringet Police Station (OB number 19/11/2019).
The 24-year-old suspect then disappeared from the village. The girl’s mother claims they have given police information on his whereabouts, but the officers have been reluctant to arrest him.
“Police have been taking us round in circles and whenever I ask how far they have gone with investigations, they threaten to take action against me, saying I am an irresponsible mother,” said the woman, whose identity we could not reveal to protest the minor who is joining Form One.
Local elders
She claimed that instead of arresting the suspect, a Theology student at a Bible college in Bomet County, the officers have been urging the family to resolve the issue through local elders and administration.
The minor sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations last year. She has a three-month-old daughter.
“I would have solved the matter with the elders, but the family of the suspect is not cooperating, and continues to abuse and intimidate me. I am pained because this is happening at a time my daughter is supposed to join secondary school,” she said, adding that she was living in fear.
The girl claimed she was defiled while she was heading home from purchasing milk at a nearby trading centre. The suspect allegedly dragged her to the thicket, where he defiled her and warned her against informing anyone about the act.
Out of fear, she kept the matter to herself, until she gave birth.
After delivery, the minor went to the suspect’s family for help, but she was sent away.
“I feared I would be stigmatised if I revealed what happened, but after some time, I could hide no more,” she said.
She has asked the police to take action against the suspect and compel him to provide support for the baby.
Nakuru County police commander Stephen Matu said investigations had been launched and that officers were pursuing the suspect.
“Efforts to arrest the suspect are ongoing. We are also looking into allegations raised against the police officer,” said Matu.
