A former children’s home director from Utawala, Nairobi, was sentenced to serve 100 years in jail without the option of a fine.
Stephen Nzuki was slapped with a lengthy sentence after he was found guilty of defiling minors under his custody from 2010 to 2016.
Nairobi principles magistrate Zainab Abdul refused to hand him a non-custodial sentence arguing that would be a miscarriage of justice, especially on the minors who are now adults.
The court heard that while violating the minors, Nzuki would quote the Bible in persuading them that it was right and lying that the holy book allowed it.
The accused had denied multiple charges of sodomy, committing indecent acts with children and attempted defilement.
The magistrate noted that the man deserved the sentence as the offence was serious and the tough sentence handed to him will serve as a deterrent to other offenders.
During the hearing of the case, the prosecution opposed his release on bail arguing he was “a serial defiler” and had a pending case at Makadara law courts.
According to the State, the man continued to commit similar offences even after the court granted him bail.
But the magistrate noted that despite having been previously charged with similar offences on September 9 2013, he attended court sessions without fail.
Cases of defilement have been on the rise and a report by the Ministry of Health showed that at least 9,484 children were violated in 2021.
According to the report, minors aged between 12 to 17 years, were also infected with STDs including HIV.
The data captured in the Kenya Health Management Information System, which captures visits to all public health facilities also revealed that only 43 per cent presented themselves at a health facility within 72 hours.
"This age group is increasingly growing vulnerable as there are increased risks of violation, sexual violence and Gender-Based Violence," Andrew Mulwa, Director of Health Promotion at the ministry stated.
