Two men have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted in separate cases involving the defilement of 13-year-old schoolgirls in Kwale County.
The two cases were heard before different courts in Msambweni Sub-County, with the prosecution relying on testimony from witnesses and medical evidence to prove the charges.
22-Year-Old Man Sentenced Over 2022 Offence
In the first case, 22-year-old Mboga Abubakar Bedera was convicted of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.
Principal Magistrate Rose Ombata found Bedera guilty of defiling a 13-year-old schoolgirl on December 30, 2022, in the Malalani area of Biani Location, Msambweni Sub-County.
The court heard that Bedera allegedly lured the girl into his house after she arrived at the residence with three friends. He allegedly ordered the other children to leave and prevented the girl from exiting the house.
When she screamed for help, the court heard that Bedera covered her mouth, threatened to beat her and sexually assaulted her.
The girl later returned home and disclosed the incident at the home of a fellow minor’s parents that evening. Her parents subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to Bedera’s arrest.
She was taken to Msambweni Hospital for medical examination and treatment, where the relevant P3 and PRC forms were completed.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Collins Orwa, called four witnesses. The court found their evidence credible and corroborated by medical evidence, establishing the case beyond reasonable doubt.
58-Year-Old Convicted Over Schoolgirl Defilement
In the second case, Resident Magistrate Joy Mutimba sentenced 58-year-old Chamambo Mangale Ngati to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of defiling a 13-year-old schoolgirl.
Ngati was convicted under Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(4) of the Sexual Offences Act.
The court heard that Ngati defiled the Grade Five pupil on October 9, 2025, at about 7am in the Madingo area of Diani Location, Msambweni Sub-County.
The girl was reportedly on her way to school when Ngati allegedly took her into his room and sexually assaulted her.
After the girl disclosed the incident, her mother raised the alarm and, with the assistance of another man, apprehended Ngati. He was later taken to Diani Police Station and placed in custody.
The girl was taken to Diani Health Centre for examination and treatment, where P3 and PRC forms were completed.
The prosecution, led by counsel Khamis Mahdi, called four witnesses whose evidence the court found consistent and sufficient to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
Court Cites Need to Protect Children
While sentencing Ngati, Magistrate Mutimba noted that cases involving the defilement of school-going children were rampant and said a deterrent sentence was necessary to protect children.
Both men were sentenced to 20 years in prison and granted 14 days within which to appeal against their convictions and sentences.
