This archive report was first published on 1 December 2019.
On December 1, 2019, police in Eldoret arrested a 65-year-old man accused of eloping with a 14-year-old girl.
According to Kerubo Makroti, a rights advocate, the suspect had been living with the minor for two weeks before his arrest.
“I was told a girl had been seen at his home, and when I went there I found them taking lunch,” Makori said, recounting her visit to the suspect's residence.
The girl had been held captive, and Makroti claimed she had been warned not to talk to neighbors.
Uasin Gishu Children's Officer Diana Jeruto confirmed that the minor was taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for a medical examination.
Her parents remain untraced, but the girl had indicated that she is from Kakamega.
“We are working with the Kakamega County Children Department to trace her parents,” Jeruto said.
County Police commander Johnstone Ipara stated that the suspect has been transferred to Central Police Station for further interrogation.
“The matter is now recorded in the Children Department and the suspect will be presented in court on Monday,” he said.
Defilement cases in Uasin Gishu have reportedly increased, prompting Ipara to urge the public to report sexual-related cases involving minors.
