This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
Busia Minors Defiled by Fathers: A Culture of Impunity ¶
June 25, 2020
Busia County has witnessed a disturbing trend of minors being defiled by their own fathers, leaving them with physical and emotional scars. The perpetrators often go scot-free, perpetuating a culture of impunity.
Nabwire, a 12-year-old girl, was defiled by her father after she returned from school. She was left devastated and contemplated suicide. Three days later, it was discovered that she had contracted HIV. She was thrown out of the home together with her mother for being 'a disgrace' to the family.
Alima, another victim, was defiled by her father when she was 12 years old. She became pregnant and was sneaked out of the home and taken to Nairobi, where she lived with a relative until she gave birth. However, her baby was stolen from her, never to be found again.
Nereya was defiled by her trusted uncle when she was three years old. She later developed health complications and was infected with HIV. She currently survives on anti-retroviral drugs that have kept her going.
Another victim, Biliha, was deceived by her father into accompanying him into a shop to buy a gift. He dragged her into a nearby thicket, tore her panties, and defiled her several times before dumping her at the entrance to their home.
Sheila was defiled by her grandfather inside his bedroom. He tied her hands, causing grievous body injuries that have left her maimed. Bilha's mother caught the old man red-handed defiling her daughter.
Many such cases have been reported in Busia County. Mary Makokha, who is in charge of Rural Education and Economic Programme, said at least 13,638 cases of defilement have been reported to her office so far. 'No day ends without a case being reported here. Communities here appear to have normalised defilement, incest, and gender-based violence,' says Makokha.
Perpetrators of defilement and incest often buy their freedom at police stations and even in courts. 'We have cases that have been dragging in court for over seven years. Files going missing is rampant. Perpetrators are let off the hook at the expense of the victims,' says Makokha.
