Boy, 14, detained for allegedly defiling two minors

 

A court in Eldoret has ordered the detention of a 14-year-old boy over defilement allegations.

The investigating officer told the court that on March 23 and 24, the suspect molested an eight-year-old boy and a ten-year-old girl at Jerusalem Estate in Moiben Sub-County.


He is also accused of defiling six other minors in the same area before being arrested.

When the minor appeared before Resident Magistrate Rodgers Otieno, he did not enter a plea because the law required him to be represented by a lawyer.

The magistrate advised State Counsel Meshack Rop that the minor needed to be represented by a lawyer.

 “Looking at the case and the person being accused, it is not in order to go on and charge him without a representation of a lawyer,” stated the magistrate.

Mr Otieno directed the court executive officer, via the Court Users Committee, to assist the minor in obtaining a pro bono lawyer.

The court also ordered that the minor be taken to the hospital for age assessment before being charged.


The minor informed the magistrate that he wanted to be taken to a rescue centre, claiming that life there was better than at home.

The magistrate expressed concern about the presence of a child in his court as an accused. He ordered that the minor be detained at the Eldoret Rescue Centre for five days while a lawyer is found to represent him.

 “I direct this file to be taken to the court executive to help us get a lawyer to represent the minor due to the nature of the offence he is alleged to have committed,” the magistrate ordered.

The matter will be mentioned on April 12.