A Mombasa man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was convicted of defiling a six-year-old girl in Likoni.

The accused, Paul Kilonzo Muthami, was handed the sentence after the court found him guilty of defilement, contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act. He also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child.

Appearing before Mombasa Resident Magistrate Green Odera, the court heard that Kilonzo lured the minor into his house under the pretext of watching television before committing the offence on November 6, 2022, at Kiwerera area in Likoni Sub-County.

During the hearing, the prosecution presented five witnesses whose corroborating testimonies placed the accused at the centre of the crime, proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

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“The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were consistent and credible. The accused took advantage of the victim’s innocence and violated her in the most inhumane manner,” ruled Magistrate Odera.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the court was also told that after the incident, the traumatised girl confided in her mother, identifying the perpetrator as their neighbour, commonly known as “Baba Ibrah.”

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The accused was later apprehended by family members and members of the public before being handed over to police officers at Likoni Police Station.

At the same time, the minor was taken to the hospital for medical examination, which confirmed the assault.

In its judgement, ODPP says the court underscored the seriousness of sexual offences against children, noting that such punishment would serve as a deterrent to others at a time when cases of defilement remain alarmingly high in the country.