This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
A 12-year-old girl from Nyabohanse town in Migori County has spoken out about the traumatic experience of being defiled by her father, a police officer, and then locked up in a police cell for six days after reporting the abuse.
The girl, who is a Standard Five pupil at a private school, told The Nation that her father lured her into his bedroom and defiled her in broad daylight on November 1. She had gone to see him to collect her school fees, which her grandmother could not afford.
After the incident, the girl rushed out of the house weeping and ran to Nyabohanse Police Post where she reported the incident. However, instead of being protected, she was transferred to Isebania Police Station where she was placed in a cell.
The girl said she was allowed to see her father, who threatened her to drop the case. She was also denied access to her family members, who were trying to have her freed.
It was not until six days later that the girl was taken to Nyayo Hospital for a medical examination, where it was revealed that she had been infected with a venereal disease.
Despite the evidence, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has sought to close the case 'due to lack of evidence'. The ODPP wrote a letter to the OCS Isebania Police Station on November 5, stating that there was no sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with the said offence.
However, the Kuria West police chief, Bernard Muriuki, has promised to duplicate all the files, including evidence and statements, and send them back to the ODPP for review. The Migori Police Commander, Celestino Nyaga, has also promised to internally investigate the matter and ensure that the minor and the suspect get justice.
