BUSIA, Kenya, October 3, 2025 – A Deputy Headteacher in Malaba, Busia County has been convicted for committing indecent acts against his pupils. The court found him guilty of exposing minors to pornography, masturbation, and sexually suggestive conversations during school hours.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the teacher faced 10 charges under the Sexual Offences Act. These included indecent acts with children under Section 11(1) and promoting sexual offences with a child under Section 12(b).
Pupils’ Testimonies
Boys aged between 14 and 17 years told the court that the teacher abused them repeatedly inside classrooms. They said he displayed pornographic material on his phone and touched them inappropriately.
Forensic experts recovered pornographic videos from the teacher’s phone. The files matched the dates of the alleged offences, confirming the boys’ accounts.
The ODPP stated: “The accused was convicted on Counts 2, 3, 5, and 6 for indecent acts with minors, and on Count 4 for promoting sexual offences by exposing a child to pornography.”
Court’s Ruling
The judge dismissed the defence team’s claim that witnesses were coached. She also rejected allegations of institutional bias, noting that the court makes decisions independently.
Although the defence argued that no physical evidence of abuse existed, the court ruled that the boys’ consistent testimonies carried weight. Minor differences in dates, the judge added, did not weaken their credibility.
According to Amnesty International, child victims often struggle to give exact details but remain credible witnesses.
See more on child safety and justice in Kenya.
Legal Context
Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act (2006) protects children from exploitation. Section 11(1) prescribes prison terms of up to 20 years for indecent acts with minors. Section 12(b) outlaws exposing children to pornography or promoting sexual offences.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) says the Act has strengthened child protection but needs stronger enforcement in schools and communities. You can read more on LSK’s position on children’s rights.
Child Safety Concerns
Parents and child rights groups expressed outrage over the case. Schools, they argue, must remain safe spaces, free from predatory teachers.
A UNICEF report shows that nearly one in three children in Kenya faces sexual violence before turning 18. The findings highlight the urgent need for better monitoring of teachers and more support for victims.
Global watchdogs like Human Rights Watch have also documented similar patterns of abuse in learning institutions across Africa.
For related stories, read how Kenyan courts handle sexual abuse in schools.
Next Steps
The ODPP welcomed the conviction, saying it proves that child predators within schools can face justice. The court will announce the teacher’s sentence in the coming weeks.
If given the maximum penalty, the deputy headteacher could spend decades behind bars. Child protection advocates hope the verdict deters other teachers from abusing positions of trust.
