This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
Published on July 11, 2019, a 16-year-old girl from Kachesoi village in Kipkaner location, Marakwet East Sub County, is receiving treatment at Kapsowar Mission Hospital after being subjected to severe physical and sexual abuse by her father.
The victim, who is 8 months pregnant, suffered severe burns on her private parts and lower limbs after being scalded with hot water. Doctors at the hospital believe the assailant's intention was to terminate the pregnancy.
According to Dr. Chelimo Korir, a gynecologist and obstetrician at the hospital, the girl's condition is stable, but she requires specialized care to ensure a full recovery. 'The hot water severely burned the outer parts of her private parts, and it was by sheer luck the fetus is still intact. Our conclusion after thorough assessment is that the perpetrator wanted the child to abort,' Dr. Korir said.
The hospital staff are now the girl's caregivers, as no family member was present to assist her. The staff have reported that the girl appeared deranged, traumatized, and in pain due to blisters. The hospital director, Stanley Mutwol, stated that the girl was brought in by a woman claiming to be a neighbor, who later vanished.
Mr. Mutwol added that the hospital has gathered information through social workers that the father has been responsible for the assault cases. 'The child admitted to the sexual abuse from the father, which has been going on for some time now. Through our interaction with the child, we have discovered that since her mother died some time back, the man has been sexually exploiting the girl,' Mr. Mutwol said.
The matter has been reported to the police and children's department to help in tracing the suspect and providing the child with justice. Elgeyo Marakwet MCAs women caucus has also condemned the act and called for the amendment of the sexual offense act to include castration of men who molest children.
