A house help in Migori County has been sentenced to life in prison for defiling a six-year-old boy.

The woman, identified only as Aunty, also infected the boy with an STI on March 30. The boy is on medication.

A clinical officer's report confirmed the boy was defiled.

Rongo senior resident magistrate Raymond Langat issued the maximum sentence, saying Aunty abused her position and tormented the boy “despite knowing her health status exposing the minor to serious health risk”.

The court paid little attention to Aunty's lawyer, who called for leniency, saying she was a first-time offender.

Langat said the nature of the offence outweighs the mitigation.

“This is a serious offence which needs deterrent nature, the boy had to be put on drugs to prevent any infection and at the time of testifying, the drugs were affecting him,” he said.